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

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Officer Curtis' son Keith was my boss many years ago at Armored Transport. Keith was a real great guy to work for and always gave you a square deal. To my knowledge he never mentioned his father. Keith was a quiet pleasant man, his father officer Curtis would have been very proud of his son.

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May 28, 2023

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