Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Thursday, January 4, 1973
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 17 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 4, 1973
Weapon Used: Rifle; Machine gun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Detective Sergeant Carl Wilson and Deputy Sheriff Donald Schneider were shot and killed when they attempted to apprehend a man who had just murdered two people in the Los Cerritos Shopping Center parking lot. One was a woman, 20, and a man, 27, who was just walking to his car. He shot and critically wounded the woman's 17-year-old sister. The motive was said to be jealousy, but later it was determined the killer did know his victims.
The officers went to the man's home at 8251 Flight Avenue in Midway City after a witness was able to provide the license plate number of the fleeing car. They met an Orange County deputy at the home and then attempted to make contact with the suspect. When they went to the front door, the man opened fire with a .45 caliber submachine gun, killing both deputies.
The Orange County deputy watching the rear of the home shot and wounded the suspect before taking him into custody.
The subject, 23, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole on May 13, 2022. His next parole hearing is in May of 2025. He is in the California prison health care hospital in Stockton where he has been since day one.
Detective Sergeant Wilson had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for over 17 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.