Officer

California Highway Patrol

5/30/1960

Special Act Award (Gold)

On May 30, 1960, at approximately 11:45 pm, Officer Rummel and his partner Officer Usrey were on routine patrol duty of US 99 on the Grapevine when they observed a speeding vehicle. Officer Rummel stopped the automobile with the intention of issuing a citation for excessive speed. Officer Rummel approached the vehicle and informed the driver of this violation. At this point, the driver fired two shots point blank at Officer Rummel. Instantly Officer Rummel dropped to the pavement, service revolver in his hand. Realizing that he had been shot and might pass out, Officer Rummel fired six shots into the left front door of the suspect’s vehicle. Simultaneously , his partner Officer Usrey, drew his revolver and fired through the rear window at the subject in the vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle started to roll down the grade. The lights came on and the vehicle sped off. Although having been shot twice and bleeding profusely, Officer Rummel insisted upon returning to the patrol car and continuing pursuit. Officer Rummel’s partner helped him into the patrol car. They fastened their safety belts and started in pursuit, the speeds of which at times exceeded 100 miles an hour. During pursuit, Officer Rummel continued to return fire at the suspect’s vehicle. Suddenly the suspect’s vehicle went out of control, skidded across the roadway, and struck a palm tree. Debris from the wrecked vehicle was thrown into the patrol vehicle causing Officer Usrey to lose control. The patrol vehicle rolled over numerous times and after skidding approximately 200 feet on its top, landed upside down in the dividing strip. Both officers, somewhat dazed, scrambled out of the patrol vehicle and began an immediate search of the wreckage of the suspect’s vehicle. They discovered the suspect who had received fatal injuries as a result of the crash, lying face up in a nearby irrigation ditch. By this time other patrol vehicles and sheriffs’ units arrived at the scene. Officer Rummel was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered upon examination that the bullet had not entered his chest cavity, but had apparently struck a pen and pencil in Officer Rummel’s left breast pocket, glanced off, hit the rib cage, passed around under the skin and came out under the right arm. The other bullet entered Officer Rummel’s left wrist and passed through, chipping, but not breaking any bones.