Bio & Incident Details
Age: 26
Tour: 3 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 10/1/1971
Weapon: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect: Shot and killed
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Chief Garcia was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at 1950 hours while returning to the police station at the end of his shift. When the vehicle stopped the 80-year-old driver exited the car and opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol. Although mortally wounded, Chief Garcia exited his patrol car and returned fire, killing the suspect. Chief Garcia was succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the hospital, which was over one hour away.
The Vernonia Police Department was a three-person agency at the time of Chief Garcia's murder. Chief Garcia was a Vietnam War veteran and had been with the agency for only three years. He was survived by his wife and 5-week-old daughter.
