Officer Earl Harwood Scott
California Highway Patrol
California
End of Watch: Friday, February 17, 2006

Biographical Info
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 16386

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, February 17, 2006
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Charged with murder

Officer Earl Scott was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Highway 99 in Stanislaus County at approximately 0440 hours.

Officer Scott stopped a vehicle that he had observed speeding on northbound Highway 99, just south of Hammett Avenue. Officer Scott approached the vehicle and obtained the registration card from the driver. As Officer Scott walked back to his patrol car the suspect opened fire, fatally shooting him in the head.

A passing motorist, who was also heading north, saw the officer falling to the ground and the suspect's car speeding away. The witness exited the freeway and turned around, returning to the scene where he called authorities on a cell phone. When backup officers arrived they were able to identify the suspect's car by the registration that was still in Officer Scott's hand.

The suspect later walked into the Stockton Police headquarters and turned himself in. He was arrested and charged with murder. The suspect has an extensive criminal record, including arrests for robbery and assaulting a police officer.

Officer Scott had served with the California Highway Patrol for 5 years. He is survived by his father, stepmother, and sister. His father and two uncles are all retired as sergeants from the California Highway Patrol. One of Officer Scott's cousins currently serves as a sergeant with the agency.