Police Officer Albert Edward Matthies

Albert Edward Matthies

Police Officer Albert Matthies was shot and killed while checking the occupants of a car that was parked on a side street. As he approached to speak to the driver one of the passengers opened fire, killing him.

Later investigation determined that the three suspects had stolen the vehicle and were preparing to rob a business when Officer Matthies approached them. The suspects were apprehended in Los Angeles two weeks later.

All three suspects, ages 18, 18, and 26, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The shooter was transferred from San Quentin to Folsom Prison on December 14th, 1943. A second suspect was paroled on September 24th, 1940.

Officer Matthies was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Arcadia Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.