Thomas Joel Steiner, 35, was shot and killed on April 21, 2004, in Pomona, California, while standing in front of the Pomona Courthouse after testifying in traffic citation cases. He had been with the California Highway Patrol for five years and was assigned to the Santa Fe Springs area. A 16-year-old suspect drove by, opened fire and struck Officer Steiner multiple times, including once in the head; Steiner died at a local hospital several hours later.

The suspect, identified as a member of the 12th Street Gang of Pomona, was apprehended shortly after the shooting, charged with murder, and later pled guilty. He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole plus an additional 25 years to life for using a firearm. The investigation resulted in the arrest of fifty-seven members of the gang, who were charged with conspiracy in relation to the murder.

Officer Steiner left behind a wife, a son, and a stepson. Does anyone have information about Officer Steiner’s final movements that day or memories of his service in the Santa Fe Springs area?