Riverside Police Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, May 13, 1982
Add to My HeroesPhilip N. Trust
Officer Philip Trust and Officer Dennis Doty were shot and killed while serving a warrant at a home.
They were attempting to arrest a handicapped man who was sitting naked on a bed. As they helped him get dressed, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot both officers. The suspect had been sitting on the gun. Officer Trust was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the hand.
The round remained in the suspect's hand and was a crucial piece of evidence in the ensuing trial. The suspect, who had been paralyzed from the waist down two years earlier in a shootout with another Riverside police officer, was found guilty of their murders and sentenced to death. It is believed that the motive of the shooting was revenge over the previous shooting.
In 2005 a judge overturned the suspect's death sentence due to claims by the defense that the suspect suffered from schizophrenic. He was retried and again sentenced to death on January 28th, 2010.
Officer Trust was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Riverside Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour 10 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 24 Reflections40 years ago I was a 16 yo girl. I was attacked in my home by a rapist. It was a terrifying night and thankfully I survived. There was a moment when the police came and I had to try and put into words what happened. I looked up at the officer and I saw "TRUST" on his name badge. His kind, caring face and that word helped give me strength to give a statement. I remember him being so patient as I stumbled thru my sentences. I am so thankful for Officer Trust seeing me thru that night and helping me convey what happened. The attacker was essentially caught and convicted. I am so sorry Officer Trust was not alive to see that and that his family had to continue on without him. He is a hero, and that night, he was my hero. Forever thankful.
Lori (Ball) Breznik
Indebted Citizen
March 10, 2021
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