Sergeant William J. Rutledge

William J. Rutledge

Sergeant Rutledge and Investigator William Carter were killed in an automobile crash while returning to Indio from Blythe.

The patrol unit they were in veered off U.S. 10 on Chiriaco Summit and struck the back of a truck. Sergeant Rutledge was killed instantly and Investigator Carter succumbed to his injuries six days later.

Sergeant Carter had been with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, three children, parents, and brother.