"The Newhall Incident" reviewed!

[pulicords]

For those of us in So. CA, there will be a presentation on the infamous "Newhall Shootout" that resulted in the deaths of four CHP officers in 1970. On April 5th (Sunday), 2009 (39 years to the day after the tragedy), retired CHP Officer Harry Ingold (one of the first officers on the scene of the shooting) will provide the two hour presentation beginning at 2:00 PM, at the Saugus Train Station in Heritage Junction at William S. Hart Park (24101 Newhall Ave) in Santa Clarita.

This presentation is provided via the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society. Additional info can be obtained via: Pat Saletore or Alan Pollack at 661-254-1275, www.scvhs.org

[SgtCHP]

Not a day I am interested in reviewing. I was called out to the incident and it was one of the saddest days of my career. I remember Frago, Gore, Alleyn and Pence lying in the morgue. I mourn their loss, along with a few close partners, every year during LE Memorial Week.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/memorial/photos70/newhall_page.jpg

Here is the story:

http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/chp-newhall-incident.htm

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh173/WTFitch/InMemoriam.gif

[Copp'rPenny]

Are their names on a green Memorial Freeway sign? I just drove through there yesterday and was just thinking about this very incident. If I lived closer, I would definitely go. :(

[Blizzination]

This is still used as tactical review in CA POST academies today.....terrible story and terrible loss.

[SgtCHP]

Are their names on a green Memorial Freeway sign? I just drove through there yesterday and was just thinking about this very incident. If I lived closer, I would definitely go. :(

Yes! Here is a depiction.................

http://www.hometownstation.com/images/stories/January%202008/chpsign.jpg

[Enroute540]

Im a former explorer from the newhall office. Whenever i read that article it just sends chills down my spine. There are some eye opening photos in the halls of the Newhall office to remind you of this incident before you leave the station.

[FJDave]

These officers did not lose their lives in vain. We have learned from this incident, and their story is told in every academy and training (formal and station lot) class. God bless these officers.

[Showboat]

There are some eye opening photos in the halls of the Newhall office to remind you of this incident before you leave the station.


Yes there are. Don't forget the original memorial plaque near the entrance.

[pulicords]

I was still in high school when the incident occurred. When I entered the LASD Academy in 1976, the morgue photo showing the four dead officers was first thing we viewed during our slide show "orientation." While it was shocking, the officers' loss resulted in significant changes in LEO training, priorities, and mindsets that saved numerous officers from the same fate in the years that followed.

When the freeway section was dedicated (a year or so ago), I attended the ceremony. It was a sobering event, but really brought home the facts that these officers haven't been forgotten, that every officer should learn from the event and keep the lessons in mind throughout their career.

While I certainly understand and agree with SgtCHP's position, I plan on attending the presentation. Beyond the incident's importance to LEOs, I applaud the retired officer's recognition of it's significance to the community that the officers served. His efforts to keep this part of local history alive insures the officers will mean more to those who live in Santa Clarita than simply being names on a freeway billboard.

[pulicords]

Double post. Sorry!

[LASD6833]

I am reminded of their sacrifice every night when I get off of the freeway and see their dedication sign. I will attend. I normally work from 0600 to 2200 on Sundays, but this will be the first day of my vacation.

[IronBruin]

Absolutely terrible :( RIP

[avalon42]

I think we were talking about this during our range training...didn't the POST range training back then require them to put expended brass in their pockets? One of my tac officers said that this cost them time, and that they found those expended brass in two of the officers' pockets.

[Long Gun]

I think we were talking about this during our range training...didn't the POST range training back then require them to put expended brass in their pockets? One of my tac officers said that this cost them time, and that they found those expended brass in two of the officers' pockets.

True. They dropped the brass into cans on the ground, so they would put them in the pockets instead. They did in real life what they did at the range. The shotgun was not racked since there used to be paper seals on the slide, and paper had to be written if it was racked. Those were not used soon after.

What really stuck with me was that the first two were only 23 and the second two were only 24.

[KataKlysmic]

I drive past the Sign 4 days out of the week when I head up to Pitchess.

[Showboat]

I'm planning on attending.

[2971511]

If there is any way for you west coast officers to get this on video and sned a copy to me, that would be great.. I am disturbed and fascinated by this tragic event ,, and working on a highway , i find the "lessons learned" help me FTO new officers.

Anyone who can get video, please pm me. thanks

[BossMan1364]

These officers did not lose their lives in vain. We have learned from this incident, and their story is told in every academy and training (formal and station lot) class. God bless these officers.

You are very correct. We just learned about this 3 weeks ago in my academy. Very sad story....we will all learn from this incident.

[Showboat]

Pulicords, I'm planning on attending and would like to shake your hand for all of the wise thoughts you've posted on this board.

[IE Copper]

Pulicords isn't wise, he is just good at faking it :p

[Showboat]

Pulicords isn't wise, he is just good at faking it :p

Well, since you put it that way, he is the nicest troll I've ever met. :p:D

[glock194me]

They reviewed this tragedy in two firearms classes I've attended. It was truly a sad day, but like another poster said it was not in vain. The tactics learned have saved thousands of lives.

Stay safe everyone.

[pulicords]

For those still planning on attending, I learned today that due to the large expected turnout, the location of the presentation has been changed from the Saugus Train Station to Hart Hall, which is also located at William S. Hart Park (same address, just a different building).


Well, since you put it that way, he is the nicest troll I've ever met. :p:D

Thanks, I'll see you there. If you still want to meet, here's my pic so you can find me in the crowd:







http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u34/Pulicords/Pulismiling.jpg

[Graydog]

Terrible terrible tragedy, well remembered as I was living in So. Ca. at the time. I later was a transport officer at a max CDC institution, and at one time had to transport the only dirt bag that survived, to a doctor. The s.o.b. is now 67 and living off the the people of Ca.
As I escorted the piece of S---, into the doctors office, I had a hard time maintaining my professionalism in handled the a------. when I took all the restraints off, I dared him to try to make abreak for it. Nothing would have made my day any better than to drop the s.o.b. i his traks.

May they RIP..


Graydog,
Retired CDC

[Showboat]

What an informative and interesting way to commemorate those 4 CHP Officers who were gunned down 39 years ago. Hearing those personal stories of the panel and audience members really made me think.


I am very glad I went.

[ccsd0601]

If there is any way for you west coast officers to get this on video and sned a copy to me, that would be great.. I am disturbed and fascinated by this tragic event ,, and working on a highway , i find the "lessons learned" help me FTO new officers.

Anyone who can get video, please pm me. thanks

Ditto for me, as well...

[pulicords]

What an informative and interesting way to commemorate those 4 CHP Officers who were gunned down 39 years ago. Hearing those personal stories of the panel and audience members really made me think.

I am very glad I went.

+1!!! Although there's been a lot of changes in equipment and technology, the human element is still the same. Hearing about how the officers, backup and citizens responded to crisis, really brought home (to me) the fact that reviewing this occurrence is as relevant now as it was 39 years ago. The "fog of war" played a part in this tragedy, and I was surprised to hear that some of criticisms of the officers' actions were based on unverified rumors (if not false info).

I purchased the book, being offered there- "The Newhall Incident: America's worst Uniformed Cop Massacre" by Chief John Anderson and Marsh Cassady (Quill Driver Books 1999). So far, it seems quite well written. It's kind of in the "docudrama" style similar to "In Cold Blood" (by Truman Capote) For those who didn't attend the seminar yesterday, copies can be purchased for $14.99 (+P&H) by calling: 1-800-497-4909

[Showboat]

Hearing about how the officers, backup and citizens responded to crisis, really brought home (to me) the fact that reviewing this occurrence is as relevant now as it was 39 years ago.

+1, I really enjoyed the personal stories of what happened that day. I also liked many of the audience members' comments o what Santa Clarita was really like back in 1970. The comment about it being flike "Dodge City" really evoked a picture in my head; I had no idea. While I had intended to go anyway, the recent incidents in Oakland and Pittsburgh really drove home the relevance to this tragedy.

[Plaso]

Wow after all these years this has resurfaced again. These guys have saved countless lives no doubt, due to the lessons learned from this incident. There are two incidents I always used to go over with my guys, Newhall and the Norco Bank Robbery. Those are the two of the most significant events that happened during my career. I still to this day remember the photo of the four offices laying in the morgue. I just hung a photo of the four Oakland officers caskets on my office wall. We must never forget.