Officer Nelson K. Sasscer

Nelson K. Sasscer

Officer Sasscer was shot and killed when he was ambushed by a member the radical racist group the Black Panthers. He had observed the two suspects hiding in the shadows on a residential street and was shot twice in the abdomen as he approached them. Both suspects were arrested later that night.

The shooter was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to five years to life on June 17, 1970. He was paroled in 1977.

Officer Sasscer was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Santa Ana Police Department for 18 months. He had been awarded Rookie of the Year the previous year.

The Black Panthers is a racist, radical group that professed the murders of law enforcement officers. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of at least 15 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation.