Johnny Ramirez Martinez, a 33-year-old California Highway Patrol officer, was killed on October 1, 1981, in Sacramento after being shot at point-blank range while clearing debris on the San Bernardino Freeway in East Los Angeles. He and his partner, Officer James Szabo, were fired on by occupants of a vehicle; Szabo, wearing a bulletproof vest, survived with a neck wound. Martinez was rushed to hospital but died the following day.

The shooters had just committed an armed robbery and believed the officers were setting a roadblock. An intense manhunt followed; one suspect was later killed in a shootout with officers in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 12, 1982, and another suspect was captured and sentenced to death. Martinez had served with the California Highway Patrol for four years and was remembered by the community and fellow officers for his dedication.

Does anyone have recollections of the case or information about Martinez’s service and legacy?