Sergeant William J. Rutledge
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
California
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 14, 1969
Cause: Automobile accident

Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Sergeant Rutledge and Investigator William Carter were killed in an automobile accident while returning to Indio from Blythe. The patrol unit they were in veered off of the roadway and struck the back of a truck. Sergeant Rutledge was killed instantly and Investigator Carter succumbed to his injuries six days later.

Sergeant Carter had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, three children, parents and brother.