California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch: Friday, May 1, 1953
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 1281
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: May 1, 1953
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Officer John Armatoski was struck and killed by a drunk driver as he stood beside a car he had stopped near Needles, California.
The 57-year-old driver was jailed for drunk driving and other charges. Five days later he hanged himself in his jail cell.
Officer Armatoski had served with the agency for 5 years.