Vernonia Police Department, Oregon
End of Watch: Friday, October 1, 1971
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 1, 1971
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Chief of Police Raymond Garcia was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at 7:50 pm while returning to the police station at the end of his shift.
When the vehicle stopped the 80-year-old driver exited the car and opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol. Although mortally wounded, Chief Garcia exited his patrol car and returned fire, killing the man. Chief Garcia was succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the hospital, which was over one hour away.
The Vernonia Police Department was a three-person agency at the time of Chief Garcia's murder. Chief Garcia was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the agency for only three years. He was survived by his wife and 5-week-old daughter.