Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer James E. Pence, Jr.

California Highway Patrol, California

End of Watch Monday, April 6, 1970

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Reflections for Officer James E. Pence, Jr.

To the few who have the honor of serving the public in the most under appreciated and demanding roll in our society. keep your heads up, and never get complacent. God be with you.

Nathaniel Pence
Arizona Pence family.

January 28, 2023

Forever missed and forever with us. God bless you and your family

State Traffic Officer 7185.
California Highway Patrol & US Marine

April 5, 2022

To these four brave officers, thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. God Speed and God Bless your families and the men and women of the CHP.

To Mr. Gary Kness, wherever you are sir, thank you as well for your bravery and selfless actions that night, and may God Bless you and your family always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 5, 2021

All of the Newhall officers are never forgotten, as these 4 officers gave their life up. We have heard that there was a courageous civilian who tried to help. All of the courage and bravery will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace Newhall Officers.

William Jin
Future LEO and Boy Scout in Troop 737, Walnut, California

May 4, 2020

You will never be forgotten. Your family is still in my prayers.

M/SGT G.H. Williams
UNC Greensboro Police Department

April 6, 2020

God Bless all my brothers. [email protected] You are missed and will never be forgotten. 50 years seems like today. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to help you. So close but yet so far.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol, South Los Angeles 1969-1971

April 6, 2020

Officer Pence,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Officers who were killed in that incident for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of California. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 5, 2020

It took me 49 years to finally stop and see the memorial they created for these four officers. Skip and I were scheduled to work the grave yard shift together, but I received a transfer to the Hollister-Gilroy area the month before so Mike Alleyn volunteered to take my spot. When I heard the news on the TV I broke down and cried like a baby. When I attended in-service training in 1972 they discussed the Newhall incident and at the closing of the discussion they showed a picture of the four officers laying in the morgue. That picture burned an image in me that I will never forget. An officer at the Newhall office said they were going to plan a 50 year memorial service around 4-6-2020. Sorry for the long delay in doing this reflection on the four officers. It was very emotional for me to finally stop and pay a tribute to these four officers.

CHARLES E SHOUP # 6852
STO, California Highway Patrol

September 7, 2019

To the family of Fallen Officer, Mike Pence:

My partner and I were working the graveyard shift in Contra Costa County when we heard the broadcast that four CHP officers had just been shot and killed in the Newhall Area. We rushed to the office to read the teletype of the incident. It was so disheartening and emotional as we tried to absorb the enormity of the crime.

My partner and I attended Officer Pence's funeral and the emotions of what had happened were reignited and lingered long after. It was such a monumental incident for the CHP that it occasionally comes to my mind as I reflect on the sad feelings and anger I had that Night.

It has been 49 years ago and I obviously am retired now but the loss of Officer Pence and the other three officers has not been forgotten. Their memory is forever embedded in our hearts. May God bless you with His peace even though many years have passed.

Officer Jim Dowling (Retired)
California Highway Patrol

June 21, 2019

A classmate, rest in peace my friend. You left us too soon.

Joe Thompson T.O.
CHP CTC 1/69

June 10, 2019

A classmate. R.I.P

Patrol Officer John Webb
Classmate CTC 1-69

April 5, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Pence.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 22, 2019

48 years ago tonight at 2145hrs our Four Brave Newhall officers started their last graveyard shift briefings. Two hours and 10 minutes till the traffic stop at "J's" restaurant and the start of the Newhall Incident. God Bless our Brothers.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
CHP

April 6, 2018

As I pass on the lessons you taught us that night, to class after class of new recruits, I make it a point to remind them of the horrific price you paid that we all might become better trained professionals. How many "Newhalls" have been avoided because of what you showed us? How many of us have come home at the end of the shift, because of what you showed us? So many of us owe you so much. The four of you continue to daily serve our profession. Thanks.

NC Officer

April 5, 2018

God bless you for your service and you are missed. I was working South LA the night you were killed defending our state. Your actions were brave and I only only say how sad today is knowing your family lost their brave brother, father and husband. Semper Fi brother.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
CHP

April 5, 2018

God Bless you for your service and dedication. I was working South LA the night you and our brothers lost their lives defending the people of California. You will always be in our hearts and you will never be forgotten. Semper Fi.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
CHP

April 5, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service. The lessons learned from this tragic stop has saved numerous LEO lives.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 5, 2018

Your memory and sacrifice will always be remembered in the hearts of your fellow Officers. I was a tactics instructor at the LAPD Academy and the lessons learned from your tragic encounter has saved many lives. The streets of heaven have been guarded by the finest men and women of law enforcement and you and your 3 fellow Officers are immortal.
Semper Fidelis

JOHN E Miller
Retired LAPD

October 6, 2016

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.
Officer Jim Weaver (#11452) Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Officer Jim Weaver (#11452) Los Angeles
Retired Jerome County, Idaho Sheriff

March 14, 2016

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

Han pasado (45) años de esta masacre pero los sujetos se encontraron con verdadero valor y coraje de ustedes son unos verdaderos guerreros DIOS los cuide y los Bendiga siempre y "NO A LA PROBATORIA ASESINOS DE POLICIA"
DIOS, bendiga a la Familia de los oficiales.

SAIC (DOC)

Agte. Armando Maldonado
Policia de Puerto Rico

April 5, 2015

God Bless all four of the Bravest and most dedicated Officers I have known. You will always be in my heart and it seems like yesterday that the first radio call from dispatch came out and my partner and myself were shocked and could not believe that our brothers were gone. God Bless and I will see you again someday.

Semper Fi....
#7185 SLA

STO W. Becze #7185
California Highway Patrol

April 9, 2014

My CHP partner Keith Walsh and I were on patrol on interstate 5 in East Los Angeles when we heard the radio call of the incident. The dispatcher became too emotional to continue and was replaced by another dispatcher. We were terrified and I remember the sick feeling in my stomach as the number of fallen Officers increased. This was undoubtedly the worst night of my law enforcement career. We left our area and started to head up to the incident scene to assist, but were called back by supervisors. Our world was very solemn for a long time. God Bless our fallen Officers.

Officer Bob Rigby #5465
Murray City PD. Utah Retired.

May 28, 2013

Officer Pence,
I remember this as it was yesterday, not 43 years ago today! I was to become a LA Deputy Sheriff in 1970, and assigned to the "Wayside Honor Rancho". I drove by J's Coffee Shop 10 times a week and every time felt such remorse and sorrow for what happened to you four Officers.
It's rare when I see a "Chippy", that I don't again think of all of you.
Rest in peace Brothers, I hope we will meet on the other side.

Sergeant - Retired L. Berry
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

April 6, 2013

Dearest Officer Pence Skip" It is 43 years later and though you are missed and loved, we all have benefited because of the lessons learned when you were so brutally taken. Cops go home because "officer safety" is truly a goal, not just a term thrown around in some police academy classroom.

I pray your families have been comforted by this knowledge and by the fact that you and they are remembered and appreciated.

Keep my beloved San Bernardino Squad safe.

Love,

LoVae Pray Martines, Law Enf. Liaison
MADD, San Bernardino County

April 5, 2013

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