Officer Larry L. Wetterling, 30, was shot and killed on March 9, 1973, in San Bernardino, California, during a traffic stop. Wetterling, a California Highway Patrol officer with six years’ service, stopped to assist what appeared to be a stranded motorist on Interstate 15. The motorist, later identified as a convicted felon driving a stolen vehicle, shot Wetterling and then stole his patrol car.

After crashing the stolen patrol car while attempting to flee, the suspect went to a nearby gas station and shot and killed the attendant. During a subsequent search the suspect fatally shot San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart and wounded a civilian ride-along. A passerby who witnessed the shooting wounded and helped subdue the suspect, who was arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder.

Wetterling was survived by his wife, two daughters, his parents, and two sisters. A portion of Interstate 15 was later named the CHP Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino Sheriff’s Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway. Anyone with memories of Officer Wetterling or information about that day is asked to share what they know.