Lieutenant Herbert Berkeley Stovall, Jr.

Herbert Berkeley Stovall, Jr.

Lieutenant Stovall was shot and killed with his own weapon after responding to an officer needs assistance call. The other officer had chased an auto theft suspect into an estuary that separates the Laney College campus from the football field.

Lieutenant Stovall, who was in his office, responded to the scene and ordered the man out of the estuary at gunpoint. As the man came closer he started to struggle with Lieutenant Stovall and both men fell into the water. The suspect gained control of Lieutenant Stovall's weapon and shot him once while the two were under water. No one heard the shot because it was fired under water.

The suspect was apprehended and charged with Lieutenant Stovall's murder but took an insanity defense.

Lieutenant Stovall was only six weeks shy of retirement when he was murdered. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.