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Officer William P. Sniffen | California Highway Patrol, California
California Highway Patrol, California

Officer

William P. Sniffen

California Highway Patrol, California

End of Watch: Thursday, April 5, 1973

Biographical Info

Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 4464

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: April 5, 1973
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available

Officer William Sniffen was killed in a motorcycle accident while pursuing a speeding motorist on the Nimitz Freeway.

The vehicle he was pursuing rear-ended another car and burst into flames. Officer Sniffen was unable to stop and slid underneath the burning vehicle.

The subject he was pursuing was arrested for felony drunk driving and felony manslaughter.

Officer Sniffen was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for seven years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.