Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, California
End of Watch: Sunday, January 28, 1962
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 30
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 28, 1962
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Larson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a liquor store robbery suspect. The suspect, 20, and girl friend, 20, were arrested and charged with murder.
On April 26, 1962, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His girlfriend was acquitted. On August 27, 1970, he escaped from a state prison camp at Chino. He was captured in Kansas City on October 12, 1970. On February 5, 1975, the California Court of Appeals granted him a new trial. Eight months later he was again convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Larson had served with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety for 3 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.