Police Officer Milton G. Curtis

Police Officer Milton G. Curtis

El Segundo Police Department, California

End of Watch Monday, July 22, 1957

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Milton G. Curtis

Police Officer Milton Curtis and Police Officer Richard Phillips were shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for running a red light.

Unbeknownst to the officers, the suspect had just raped a teenage girl after holding two couples at gunpoint. Both officers were shot and killed while they were writing a ticket.

On January 29th, 2003, 45 years after the murders, the 70-year-old suspect was arrested at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, as the result of a new FBI fingerprint database. The fingerprints were matched to a 1956 South Carolina burglary and linked to the suspect.

The suspect was convicted of both murders on March 24th, 2003, and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2009 and died in prison in January 2017.

Officer Curtis had served with the El Segundo Police Department for two months. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Bio

  • Age 25
  • Tour 2 months
  • Badge 22

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
  • Offender Died in prison

traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

View all 55 Reflections

Thank you for your service and sacrifice Officer Curtis. I just saw your case on 48 Hours. I'm glad your family got justice.

Tonya LaFarr, Des Moines Iowa
Private Citizen, Law Enforcement Supporter

September 11, 2024

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