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Officer Gary Elton Rippstein | Torrance Police Department, California
Torrance Police Department, California

Officer

Gary Elton Rippstein

Torrance Police Department, California

End of Watch: Sunday, December 22, 1968

Biographical Info

Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 21, 1968
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Officer Rippstein was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to arrest an auto-theft suspect. The officers were invited inside the home by the man's wife and were immediately fired upon by the suspect. Officer Rippstein was struck by one of the rounds and killed. His partner and other backup officers returned fire and killed the suspect.

Officer Rippstein had served with the Torrance Police Department for 6 years and was the agency's first police chaplain. He was survived by his wife and three children.