On January 10, 1999, 41-year-old Oakland police officer James Williams Jr. was killed while he and other officers were searching Interstate 580 for a discarded shotgun. A sniper firing from an overpass struck Officer Williams and wounded another officer.

The shooter, identified as 19-year-old Chad Rhodes, was charged with murder. Prosecutors said Rhodes used a high-powered assault rifle to fire deliberately from the overpass to prevent recovery of the discarded weapon; he was seen celebrating with friends after the shooting. The jury convicted Rhodes of second-degree murder and assault on a peace officer. In May 2003 he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Officer Williams’ widow spoke at the sentencing about the family’s loss.

The overpass from which Rhodes fired has been named in honor of Officer Williams. Does anyone have memories of Officer Williams, the scene that day, or information about the long aftermath for his family?