Officer James Louis Guelff

Officer James Louis Guelff | San Francisco Police Department, California
San Francisco Police Department, California
Officer James Louis Guelff

San Francisco Police Department, California

End of Watch Monday, November 14, 1994

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James Louis Guelff

Officer James Guelff succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day when he was shot by a carjacking suspect, near the intersection of Pine Street and Franklin Street, at approximately 6:00 pm.

The suspect had carjacked a vehicle in Mountain View and had driven to San Francisco, where he pushed the car's owner out of the vehicle.

The suspect then drove to Pine Street where he double parked the vehicle. The man opened fire on Officer Guelff with a semi-automatic rifle as the officer approached the vehicle. Officer Guelff emptied his service weapon at the suspect, and was reloading when he was shot again.

The suspect was wearing a ballistic helmet, a flak jacket, and carrying hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Members of the San Francisco Police Department's SWAT Team shot and killed the man, but not before another officer, a paramedic, and a civilian were wounded by gunfire. Officers found the man was also in possession of a police scanner, gunpowder, fuses, and three vials of pain-killer.

Officer Guelff had served with the San Francisco Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by two children.

Bio

  • Age 40
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge 1461

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Sunday, November 13, 1994
  • Weapon Rifle; Semi-automatic
  • Offender Shot and killed
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Hi James, and James's friends and family,

I was 13 the day your watch ended - and I was the first person to call the cops, in Mountain View, having witnessed (in profound disbelief) the first event leading to it. I remember dashing across a street, banging into an office, and dialing 911. Of course, I also remember the sickening feeling when officers visited me later to share how things had ended.

I think about you often, and of course, like many I am sure, wonder what I or anyone could have done better, done differently, to change the course of the day. But of course, these thoughts are useless for us. I can only turn them thoughts into thoughts of gratitude for your sacrifice.

I noticed you have children, my age. Like them, I lost a parent too soon, under circumstances I wish could have been different. I know they probably have ups and downs. I hope they, and your wife, always know how proud you would surely be of them today, for following in your strength.

Thank you and rest well. You are not forgotten; And the positive footprint you have left on the world, happily, goes far beyond a single day.

Mike W.

Civilian
Mountain View

November 14, 2020

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