On December 22, 1978, Roy P. Blecher, a 50-year-old California Highway Patrol officer with 21 years’ service, was killed in the line of duty while patrolling Interstate 80 near the Yolo Causeway in West Sacramento. Blecher and his partner, Officer William M. Freeman, made a routine traffic stop at about 3:00 a.m.; the pair last made radio contact at 3:12 a.m.

Investigators found signs of a struggle at the scene. Blecher was handcuffed and shot in the back of the head; Officer Freeman was also overpowered and shot and killed. The suspect was later captured, tried, and convicted and is serving a life sentence. The murders prompted an extensive investigation and received wide media coverage.

Any readers who knew Officer Blecher or have information about that night are asked to come forward?