Larry L. Wetterling, a 30-year-old officer with the California Highway Patrol, tragically lost his life on March 9, 1973, in San Bernardino, California. Officer Wetterling was fatally shot by a motorist he had stopped for suspected drunk driving. The motorist, who was later identified as a convicted felon, shot Wetterling and then stole his patrol car. As the felon attempted to flee, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed.
The suspect then continued his violent spree, killing two more individuals before being apprehended.
The incident began when Officer Wetterling stopped to assist what appeared to be a stranded motorist on Interstate 15. Unbeknownst to Wetterling, the motorist was a felon driving a stolen vehicle. The felon shot Wetterling and fled in his patrol car. Shortly after, the suspect crashed the stolen patrol car and proceeded to a nearby gas station, where he shot and killed the attendant. The suspect's rampage did not end there; during a police search, he encountered Lieutenant Alfred Stewart of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and fatally shot him as well. A civilian ride-along with Lieutenant Stewart was also wounded in the encounter. The suspect was eventually subdued by a passerby who witnessed the shooting and managed to shoot and wound him.
The suspect was arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder. He was convicted and initially sentenced to death. However, his conviction was later overturned, and his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. The felon remained in prison until his death in 2014. The tragic events of that day led to significant mourning within the law enforcement community and the public. Officer Wetterling had served with the California Highway Patrol for six years and was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and two sisters. In honor of his and Lieutenant Stewart's sacrifice, a portion of Interstate 15 was renamed the CHP Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway.
