DOCSLIB.ORG

The Newhall Incident – a 50Th Anniversary Retrospect It Has Been Referred to As the Tragedy That Changed Law Enforcement Forever

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Newhall Incident – a 50Th Anniversary Retrospect It Has Been Referred to As the Tragedy That Changed Law Enforcement Forever [PHOTO-primary: Newhall-Memorial_2019-04 IMG_1224_zox.jpg / 1313 px x 750 px] The Newhall Incident – A 50th Anniversary Retrospect It has been referred to as the tragedy that changed law enforcement forever. During the last few minutes of April 5, 1970, four young California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers were killed by two gunmen during an enforcement stop. The tragedy sent shock waves throughout communities across the nation, and it shattered the lives of four young families. The killings prompted law enforcement agencies far and wide to reevaluate their tactics and equipment. Many important changes would come in the weeks, months, and years following this intolerable act of violence. It inspired a reawakening of law enforcement tactics and has encouraged a mindset that has become the legacy of CHP Officers Walter “Walt” C. Frago (6573), 23 years old; Roger D. Gore (6600), 23 years old; James “Skip” E. Pence, Jr. (6885), 24 years old; and George M. Alleyn (6290), 24 years old. The Incident At 11:54 p.m. on April 5, 1970, Officers Roger Gore and Walter Frago initiated a traffic stop on a suspect reported to have brandished a weapon at another motorist. The report was of a single driver, but once the officers spotted the vehicle and pulled it over, they could see it was occupied by two men. The suspect’s car exited southbound I-5 and stopped just inside the entrance to the parking lot of the Standard Oil gas station next to J’s Coffee Shop on the old Highway 99 (The Old Road) in the town of Newhall. The patrol car stopped a few yards behind. [PHOTO-inset: Newhall_1970-04_NewspaperHeadlines_zox.jpg / 450 px x 338 px] The two men did not initially comply with the officers’ orders to exit the vehicle once they stopped, but after a few moments, the driver got out. The passenger remained in the car. The driver, later identified as Bobby Davis, age 27, and passenger Jack Twining, 35, were career criminals with histories of violent felonies who had both recently been released from prison. As Officer Gore approached the driver’s side of the suspect’s vehicle, he ordered Davis to assume a body-search stance against the car while Officer Frago approached the passenger side of the vehicle. Because the passenger had ignored orders to exit the vehicle, Officer Frago, holding a shotgun in his right hand, reached for the car door handle with his left. The passenger suddenly burst out of the car and fired two shots at point blank range, killing Officer Frago instantly. Officer Gore turned and fired his revolver at Twining, giving Davis just enough time to draw a gun from his waistband and fire two close range shots at Officer Gore, instantly killing him as well. In those few seconds, Officers Gore and Frago, childhood friends and CHP Academy classmates, lay dead on either side of the perpetrators’ car. As those fatal shots were being fired, Officers Pence and Alleyn were pulling up next to the first patrol car at the entrance of the lot. Unaware that shots had already been fired, they were ambushed by the gunmen. As the officers called for additional backup, the gunmen armed themselves with fresh weapons from the backseat of their vehicle, Davis with a sawed-off shotgun, Twining with a semi-automatic pistol, and both continued their assault on Officers Pence and Alleyn. The four men exchanged gunfire over the next two minutes. Officer Alleyn shot Twining in the upper forehead with buckshot from his shotgun, but the injury was not substantial enough to stop him, and within the next few moments, Officer Alleyn was shot and severely wounded. During the gunfire, civilian Gary Kness, who was on his way to work, approached the scene in his vehicle and realized there was a shootout in progress. Kness then saw Officer Alleyn get shot and go to the ground. Kness, a former Marine, stopped his car and instinctively ran in to harm’s way to aid Officer Alleyn. While Officer Pence exchanged bullets with one or both of the gunmen, Kness took cover behind a patrol car and tried to pull Officer Alleyn out of the line of fire. As Davis approached the two, Kness picked up Officer Alleyn’s shotgun and fired at Davis on an empty chamber. He then racked the slide of the shotgun, again to an empty click. Realizing the shotgun was empty, Davis continued his advance on Kness and Alleyn, now shooting with the revolver he had taken from Officer Frago. Kness then picked up Officer Alleyn’s bloody revolver and took a shot, hitting Davis and spinning him around. As Kness attempted to fire a second shot, he once again pulled the trigger on an empty chamber. At that moment he could hear shots to his left as Twining and Officer Pence exchanged gunfire, and to his right, he could hear sirens and see the lights of approaching patrol cars. Without a loaded weapon, Kness made a break for a nearby ditch. During the gunfire, Officer Pence emptied all six rounds in his Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver and was hit with several rounds from Twining’s gun. As Officer Pence struggled to reload his weapon, Twining approached and fired another shot, killing Officer Pence. Only a minute or so behind Officers Pence and Alleyn, Officers Erwin Holmes and Richard Robinson, in patrol unit 78-16R, came to a screeching halt behind the patrol car of Officer Gore and Frago. As Officer Robinson exited the passenger side with shotgun in hand, a bullet hit the patrol car door that shielded him. Officer Holmes exited the driver’s side and took a shot at the suspects with his revolver as they jumped into their vehicle and sped off. Simultaneous to the last of the gunfire and the fleeing of the suspects, Officers Harry Ingold and Roger Palmer arrived. A sweep of the parking lots ensued, and the gravity of the previous 4 1/2 minutes began to sink in. Four young, promising CHP officers had just been viciously murdered. The killers were now on the loose, but they wouldn’t make it far. They encountered a dead-end road almost immediately after fleeing and they abandoned their car. A few hours later, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies caught Davis in a stolen pickup camper at a roadblock a few miles from the crime scene. Armed with Officer Frago’s shotgun and the revolver he took from Officer Gore, Twining broke into a house a few miles from the scene of the shootout and took a person hostage. Two others escaped from the house and called police. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies surrounded the house and after about nine hours, Twining released his hostage. Deputies ordered Twining to surrender, but eventually filled the house with tear gas and stormed in. Twining killed himself with Officer Frago's shotgun as deputies closed in. In November of 1970, Davis was convicted and sentenced to death for the four murders. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 1973, and he killed himself in prison in 2009. The Turning Point Prior to the murders, the CHP had already established itself as a well-respected law enforcement agency—one of the few with a formal training academy, a thorough training program, and an impressive staff of instructors. Even by the 1960s, CHP cadets were receiving more, and for the most part, better firearms training than many police agencies across the country, exceeding the national law enforcement standards of the time, but the Newhall Incident brought a whole new level of scrutiny to the Department. While the CHP stressed to the public immediately following the Newhall Incident that its training was more than adequate, they were quickly and diligently developing improved training, enforcement tactics, and policies based on what they were learning. The law enforcement community worldwide took notice and quickly began reevaluating their own training programs. [PHOTO-inset: Newhall_Cadets-TactEnf_MWN4716_zox.jpg / 450 px x 450 px] During the review of the Incident, it became apparent that there was a need for enforcement training in real-world situations. Advanced felony stop or “hot-stop” procedures were developed in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies; search and handcuff procedures were improved; physical methods of arrest, or PMAs, were expanded to address a broad spectrum of scenarios; and firearms training was updated from the traditional “stationary” instruction to a more combat-practical concept to increase officer accuracy under duress. Mental preparedness and environmental awareness also became points of emphasis. Officers were now being taught to approach each situation with increased caution, and to use time to their advantage to maximize their safety. New equipment was introduced and existing equipment was improved. After the Newhall shooting, the CHP became the first major law enforcement agency to equip its officers with speed loaders (devices used to reduce the time and/or effort needed to reload a firearm). Shotgun ammunition pouches were added to the buttstocks of the weapon, giving officers additional ammunition. Patrol vehicle radios would be modified to allow car-to-dispatch monitoring in addition to existing car-to-car monitoring, and eventually, ballistic vests became standard issue. This would be the beginning of an invigorated effort to enhance officer safety and survival tactics by the CHP and law enforcement agencies throughout the world. [PHOTO-inset: Newhall Mem.Plaque_2019_04 IMG_1224_zox.jpg / 450 px x 338 px] Their Legacy To this day, the Newhall Incident remains a part of the training curriculum at the CHP Academy, as well as law enforcement courses throughout the nation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Heritage Junction Dispatch a Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society
    The Heritage Junction Dispatch A Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Volume 35, Issue 2 March-April 2009 Calendar President’s Message by Alan Pollack Saturday, March 14 hey called it were brutally gunned down by two dangerous Seminar on antiques, 9:00 AM, Saugus station (see page 5) Tthe “Newhall suspects in the lot of a Standard Service Incident”. It was the Station next to J’s Coffee Shop on what is Sunday, March 15 worst massacre of now the intersection of the Old Road and Lecture and Tour on the St Francis police officers in the Magic Mountain Parkway in Valencia, California. Dam disaster, 80 year history of the Saugus Station, 1:00 PM (see ad on The two suspects were down and out career California Highway this page and article on Page 4) ex-convicts. They had met and became friends Patrol, and possibly Saturdays beginning March 21 while in prison. One had been released from the worst in American the Federal Penitentiary in Tallahassee, Florida Six classes on TV and cinema in history. It changed the SCV, Saugus Station 1:00 PM eleven months previously. At age 34, he had police procedures Saugus Station (see page 6) been in and out of eight federal prisons forever thereafter: Monday, March 23 for various offenses since the age of 16. Improved police training on how to approach The other had been released from prison 8 Board of Directors Meeting a suspect, better weaponry, bullet-proof vests, months previous and was serving his parole 6:30 PM Saugus Station saving the lives of many police officers in the time in Houston, Texas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heritage Junction Dispatch a Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society
    The Heritage Junction Dispatch A Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Volume 34, Issue 6 November-December 2008 Calendar President’s Message by Alan Pollack Saturday, November 15 istory is a history of the James Dean saga. Leon Worden “Fencing with Fairbanks”: Presentation of Douglas Fairbanks’ Hdynamic process. told me about a book called “The Death of “Mark of Zorro”; Sometimes we must James Dean,” by Warren Beath. I found Mr. 5:00 PM, Hart Park; See page 9 revise historic “fact” Beath’s website www.whokilledjamesdean. Monday, November 24 as new evidence com and contacted him to see if he had comes to light. That any additional evidence that might solve the Board of Directors Meeting 6:30 PM Saugus Station may (or may not) be mystery of James Dean and Tip’s restaurant. As the case with the last mentioned in my previous article, Tony Newhall Monday, December 1 day of James Dean. had interviewed a former Tip’s manager for Deadline for the Jnauary - After writing the an article in the Signal in 1985. She stated that February Dispatch article on the death they had indeed seen Dean at Tip’s that day. A Saturday, December 6 of James Dean in the waitress at Tip’s had previously stated that she Chrismas Open House 8:00 AM Sept-Oct Dispatch, I talked with a number had served Dean apple pie and milk at Tip’s. But to 12:00 noon, Saugus Station; See of our local experts and found quite a lot of other than the testimony of these two ladies, page 12.
    [Show full text]
  • Cowboy Artist Draws on His Inspiration
    Your Guide to the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District. 5 CENTS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2009 YEAR 15, NUMBER 1 Cowboy Artist Draws on His Inspiration. Creator of 2009 Cowboy Festival Poster Finds Subjects In and Get All the Latest Info on Around His Sand Canyon the 2009 Cowboy Festival: Home. See Page 4 By Patti Rasmussen, The original oil painting of his GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT. daughter enjoying the cowboy music is now on display at the National Cowboy His inspiration came quite simply. Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City where it Having brought his then 5-year-old received the distinction of First Place in daughter, Brittany, to the Cowboy Festi- the prestigious Prix de West Art Show- val in Santa Clarita, local artist Morgan case. City officials met with Weistling Weistling watched as she spun and and now Brittany’s young image will danced to the street musicians’ songs. grace all art associated with the 15th Oncebackhomeinhisstudio,hebrought annual Cowboy Festival to be held April out the oils and painted her in “The 22-26, 2009, at Melody Ranch in Placeri- Dance.” Weistling then submitted the ta Canyon. painting to the city of Santa Clarita for “I don’t know how many posters consideration as poster art for the next (the city) can say were inspired by the fes- PATTI RASMUSSEN festival. That was in 2001. Eight years tival,” Weistling said. “But Brittany loved Surrounded by cowboy props, canvas and paint, Morgan Weistling creates later the City came to him. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16. his award-winning works of art in his home studio.
    [Show full text]
  • PCNEWS Jan-Feb. 2021
    Volume 39-Number 1 January-February 2021 Issue Number 80 “Gateway” Show Welcomes Collectors From 13 States Despite the pandemic and an economic downturn, tableholders and collectors from 13 states fl ocked to Saint Louis, Mo. for the 35th Annual “Gateway” Police Collectors Show. Frank Selvaggio, Bob Shockey and Roger McLean hosted an outstanding show on a summer-like November 7 at a Holiday Inn. By Frank T. Selvaggio, Guest Writer SAINT LOUIS, Mo. – The 2020 “Gateway” Police Collectors Show was held on Saturday, November 7 at the Holiday Inn-Route 66 in Sunset Hills, which is a suburb of Saint Louis. Mo. Bob Shockey, Roger McLean and I hosted it. Who was that masked man? It’s Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Terry It couldn’t have been a more beautiful fall day with clear skies and temperatures in the Bible, who specializes in his department. He collects anything and everything 70s. A perfect day for a show that has been going strong for 35 years. MSHP. The helmets on his table were issued to state troopers in the ‘50s. They And, it was an awesome segue into the 2021 National Police Collectors Show are recycled WW II combat pots. Frank Selvaggio photograph being held here in the Saint Louis area this October 22, 23 and 24 at the Saint Charles Convention and Embassy Suites Hotel. It will be the fi fth time that the National Show has been located in the Saint Louis area. badges to that specialized collection, including two North Dakota badges that he never What wasn’t perfect was the fact that the COVID-19 virus has taken a terrible toll on thought he would fi nd from such a small agency.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heritage Junction Dispatch a Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society
    The Heritage Junction Dispatch A Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Volume 35, Issue 4 July - August 2009 Calendar President’s Message by Alan Pollack Saturday, July 11 e is known as Canyon during a boom in copper, silver, “Flickers at the Junction”, The the “Father of and gold mining in the area. Soledad City General, starring Buster Keaton H Dusk, Saugus Station Acton”, a small town literally moved up and down the canyon as in the far reaches new mining opportunities were discovered. Monday, July 27 of Soledad Canyon, Finally the town settled down four miles Board of Directors Meeting on the road to the from the future site of Acton. In 1868, 6:30 PM Saugus Station Antelope Valley. Soledad City applied to the United States Saturday, August 1 At age 31 Rudolph Postal Service for a post office. Seemed like Deadline for the September- Eugene Nickel a simple proposition...but it wasn’t. Dibs on October Dispatch arrived in Acton, then the name Soledad was already taken by a “Flickers at the Junction”, The a town with one town in Northern California. So the mining Wizard of Oz, starring Judy resident, John F. Duehren, on Oct. 11, 1887. town had to come up with a new name Garland Dusk, Saugus Station Duehren was the owner of the ‘49er Saloon, to satisfy the Postal Service and get their Monday, August 24 established in 1870. Nickel quickly set to Post Office. People in the Wild West times Board of Directors Meeting work, establishing many of the first services of Southern California had their priorities.
    [Show full text]
  • Defensive Living Preserving Your Personal Safety Through Awareness, Attitude and Armed Action
    DEFENSIVE LlVIl./ingVoo r II personal Satet* ED L0V Defensive Living Preserving Your Personal Safety Through Awareness, Attitude and Armed Action Second Edition Ed Lovette & Dave Spaulding Foreword by Bruce Siddle ^ftooseleaf ^^B^^g: P^^B Law Publications, Inc. ^ 43-08 162nd Street Flushing, NY 11358 (800) 647-5547 www.LooseleafLaw.com [email protected] ©2005 by Looseleaf Law Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Copyright owner. Requests for such permission should be addressed to Looseleaf Law Publications, Inc., 43-08 162nd Street, Flushing, NY 11358 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lovette, Ed, 1944- Defensive living : preserving your personal safety through awareness, attitude, and armed action / Ed Lovette & Dave Spaulding ; foreword by Bruce Siddle.-- 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 1-932777-09-1 1. Crime prevention. 2. Self-preservation. 3. Self-protective behavior. 4. Survival skills. 5. Firearms—Use in crime prevention. I. Spaulding, Dave, 1955- H. Title. HV7431.L69 2005 613.6'6-dc22 2004024597 Printed in the United States of America 1 23456789 10 Cover design by Sans Serif, Inc. Saline, Michigan ©2005 Looseleaf Law Publications, Inc. All right reserved. Printed in U.S.A. About the Authors Mr. Lovette is a retired CIA paramilitary operations officer. He is a former Captain in the U.S. Army Special Forces and is also a ten-year law enforcement veteran, in which capacity he served as a patrol officer, sheriffs deputy and as the senior firearms and tactics instructor for the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.
    [Show full text]
  • Police Trends Toward More Powerful Handguns and the Mental Aspects
    New Paradigm 1 The New Paradigm: Police Trends Toward More Powerful Handguns and the Mental Aspects of Combat Survival and Training Chris B. Hankins Criminal Justice Institute School of Law Enforcement Supervision Session XXIV Dr. Kleine November 8, 2004 New Paradigm 2 The New Paradigm: Police Trends Toward More Powerful Handguns And the Mental Aspects of Combat Survival and Training Handguns have been a vital part of the American police arsenal since law enforcement’s inception in this country. Through its glorification in Hollywood movies and its actual application by such legendary lawmen as Wyatt Earp and Charles Askins, the handgun’s position in American culture and policing has been secured. Despite its portrayal as the primary police arm, the mission of the handgun is actually quite different. Its role is purely defensive. The handgun lacks sufficient power to provide any form of offensive force. The handgun’s mission is to provide a police officer with the means by which to regain control of his or her immediate environment when attacked, quickly and with as few shots fired as possible (Taylor, 1999, p. 19). It must also be powerful enough to incapacitate, though not necessarily kill, the attacker. It is in this role that we explore the handgun’s strengths and shortcomings, and analyze how those attributes, or the lack thereof, have resulted in a decade-long, nationwide transition to more powerful duty weapons for police officers in the United States. Law enforcement’s literal overnight switch to more powerful and higher capacity handguns has been loosely paralleled by the birth of the “officer survival movement” during the decade of the 1970s, when officer murders New Paradigm 3 reached the highest levels ever recorded.
    [Show full text]