Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Saturday, May 22, 1971
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 22, 1971
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Released in 1975
Deputy Sheriff Gary Saunders was shot and killed with his own service weapon following a foot chase of a suspect near the intersection of Florence and Holmes Avenues.
During the ensuing struggle, the suspect was able to gain control of Deputy Saunders' service revolver and shot him. The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later after being surrounded.
The man was convicted of second-degree murder. He was released from prison in 1975.