Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch: Monday, May 4, 1959
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 5785
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: May 4, 1959
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Policeman Gilbert Reyes was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a car during a chain reaction accident on Sepulveda Boulevard, just north of Sunset Boulevard.
A fully loaded gravel truck struck the car after its brakes failed. The car was pushed into Policeman Reyes and his motorcycle, throwing them 30-feet.
Policeman Reyes was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He had served with the LAPD for 11 years and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and three siblings.