Ernest Ray Felio was a 49-year-old California Highway Patrol officer killed on September 7, 1980, during a routine traffic stop in Smith River, California. He had served 18 years with the CHP. A nearby security guard witnessed the stop, reported hearing two gunshots after a brief conversation between Felio and the motorist, and provided a detailed description that led to the suspect’s rapid apprehension.

The motorist pulled out a gun, shot Officer Felio twice, and took Felio’s service revolver before fleeing the scene. The suspect was identified, charged with murder, and later sentenced to death; the suspect then killed himself by hanging in his jail cell. Felio was remembered by colleagues and his community as a dedicated officer and family man; he was survived by his wife, four daughters, and three grandchildren.

Does anyone have memories of Officer Felio or information about that incident to share?