California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch: Monday, June 3, 1974
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: 2402
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: June 3, 1974
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 1 year
Officer Ralph Percival was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on a traffic stop on Highway 280 near Farm Hill Boulevard in Redwood City at 5 pm.
He had completed writing the citation and was returning to his motorcycle when he was struck.
The 47-year-old subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year in prison.
Officer Percival had been with the California Highway Patrol for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.