California Highway Patrol Officer W.R. McDaniel was killed in the line of duty on October 6, 1934, in Chico California, by an armed gunman. This site is dedicated to the memory of our fellow Law Enforcement Officer who gave his life defending our city.
Special thanks is given to Chico Police Sergeant Dan Fonseca and Chico Police emloyee Brett Vosika for locating and gathering this information.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A brief history
California Highway Patrol Officer William R. McDaniel, 36, was shot and killed by an ex-convict while he was investigating the scene of a wrecked vehicle which had earlier been driven and abandoned by the killer. McDaniel had intended to impound the car and was accompanied by a garage mechanic, Kenneth Davis, 29, when both were accosted by the ex-convict. Davis was shot and killed instantly. McDaniel returned fire, wounding the assailant, but was himself fatally shot. The killer of the pair fled, but was shot and killed by a sheriff's posse.
As reported by the California Highway Patrol.
As reported by the California Highway Patrol.
DEATH AWAITS COP KILLERS
"You can't shoot a "cop" in Chico and live!"
This again was proven last night when Elmer Schutrum was dead an hour after murdering C.J. (Dick) Bruce, 36, Chico patrolman, in a case that conjured up memories of the Turchinetz killing October 6, 1934.
Schutrum died within an hour - by his own hand. Turchinetz died less than four hours after shooting down Traffic Officer W.R. McDaniel and Kenneth Davis, garage mechanic. Turchinetz died before the flaming guns of an avenging posse that tracked him to the foothills east of Chico and ended his flight shortly after the sun broke over the hills.
On October 6, 1934, the bodies of the two men were found beside Turchinetz' wrecked car on Mangrove Avenue near the Chinese plot of Chico Cemetery. McDaniel had been seeking the jeweler on reports that he had been driving while intoxicated. Davis was called when the wrecked car was discovered.
Investigators learned that Turchinetz had been hiding in the orchard near the scene of the wreck and from behind an almond tree shot the two men.
A large posse armed with tear gas bombs followed the murderer through Pleasant Valley on a clue furnished by Mrs. John Sudberry.
Chico Record, Feb. 23, 1938
This again was proven last night when Elmer Schutrum was dead an hour after murdering C.J. (Dick) Bruce, 36, Chico patrolman, in a case that conjured up memories of the Turchinetz killing October 6, 1934.
Schutrum died within an hour - by his own hand. Turchinetz died less than four hours after shooting down Traffic Officer W.R. McDaniel and Kenneth Davis, garage mechanic. Turchinetz died before the flaming guns of an avenging posse that tracked him to the foothills east of Chico and ended his flight shortly after the sun broke over the hills.
On October 6, 1934, the bodies of the two men were found beside Turchinetz' wrecked car on Mangrove Avenue near the Chinese plot of Chico Cemetery. McDaniel had been seeking the jeweler on reports that he had been driving while intoxicated. Davis was called when the wrecked car was discovered.
Investigators learned that Turchinetz had been hiding in the orchard near the scene of the wreck and from behind an almond tree shot the two men.
A large posse armed with tear gas bombs followed the murderer through Pleasant Valley on a clue furnished by Mrs. John Sudberry.
Chico Record, Feb. 23, 1938
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