Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

Officer James Pence, I recently moved to the Castaic area and I pass by the freeway dedication sign on route 5. Being the mother of a fallen LAPD Officer I was curious to learn about your tragic death. What a tragedy and what a tremendous loss to the CHP to lose four of its finest officers in one day. Although you were taken away 42 years ago I know the pain is still strong in the hearts of your families. May God Bless your Souls and I pray your families know that you will never be forgotten.

Christine Hester
Mother-Fallen LAPD Officer Steve Gajda

May 16, 2012

Your brother has become a friend and part of our museum family. He is quite proud of you, your accomplishments in your short life, and speaks of you often. Thank you for your service and know that your LODD has saved countless officers through the years due to a change in training. R.I.P.

Doug Gist, Captain (retired)
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum

May 8, 2012

Rest in peace and may god bless you.

Lt.J.Pease
B.P.D

April 6, 2012

God bless you and the other three brave heroes who helped change officer safety for all of law enforcement forever because of that fateful night. You were heroes because of how you lived your lives, but circumstances caused you to be forever linked with the Newhall Incident and cops are safer because of you.

I remember that morning vividly and am still saddened because of your loss. I am only comforted knowing other cops go home to their families because of you. I wish you had that opportunity.

You are loved, appreciated and remembered 42 years later.

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

April 5, 2012

We are fast approaching the 42nd year since we lost our beloved Traffic Officers who were performing their duties to protect the citizens of this great state of California. I remember the morning as if it was just this morning.

I wish I could go back in time and it would be April 6, 1970 and that I could have been at these officers side to assist them and I always felt as if this could have happened to anyone of us if these four brave officers had not stopped these Dirt-Bags before they reached the Los Angeles area.

I often drive past the location where this terrible incident ocurred and wonder how this would have played out if I and my partner would have been there to assist these brave Traffic Officers.

God only knows, as well as the four brave young officers, that our hearts will never be healed from this senseless act of cowardly actions of the two scum's of society had took our four brave officers from us that fateful morning.

This really continues to hurt beyond belief and I just want the family of these brave officers to know that there are many on the Highway Patrol and in Law Enforcement in general that will always remember the brave men, fellow officers, and most imnportant they had families that will never have the chance to tell them how much they were loved.

God Bless all of our brave officers and God bless their families.

God Bless the California Highway Patrol...We all miss you guys a bunch!!!

Mike #7185 California Highway Patrol-South Los Angeles #530 Graveyard officer on that Fateful morning.

State Traffic Officer Mike Becze #7185
South Los Angeles office of the Californian Highway Patrol

April 3, 2012

"Honor never grows old--Heroes never die". You are remembered, Godspeed...

Anonymous

April 6, 2011

God Bless you James....Semper Fi and thank you very much for your service. I remember that night you left us so very much......It seems like just yesterday and I think about you and the other brave young officers that did not deserve to have that fate. Sorry I could not be there to help you. South L.A. Area #530...."C" Watch shift...

State Traffic Officer Mike Becze #7185
California Highway Patrol

April 4, 2011

God bless Officer, you are a true hero. Jeff Jaynes Arizona Highway Patrol-Williams, Arizona.

Officer Jeff Jaynes
Arizona Highway Patrol

June 23, 2010

Rest in Peace my brother, keep an eye on us still on the bricks as you continue your Watch in Heaven

Policeman
Brother in Blue, Phoenix PD

May 18, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 5, 2010

Rest in Peace, Officer Pence. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

The final chapter has now been closed. The remaining scum you battled so bravely was found dead in his prison cell.
You are with God in his kingdom of Heaven and they are writhing in hell. We learned so much from your incident. You and your families gave so much that fateful night and for that, many many many LEO's go home to their loved ones. Keep resting easy Brother. God Bless All

DB
CA HWY PATROL..Ret.

August 19, 2009

My brother. I have known of your death since it happened. I was also told about it in the academy many years ago. Forgive me for having your memory slip to the back of my mind in recent years, especially after the sacrifice you made. Today I finished a book about your life and your death. I drove to the location where you died and although the place has changed a lot, emotions overcame me. I promise that you and your partners will never ever be forgotten by me again.

Sal Gallegos
LAPD Detective (retired)

August 15, 2009

Officer Pence,

First of all thank you for your service. My prayers are always with you and your loved ones. I got to know about you during my time at a law enforcement academy in Northern CA.

You were never too far from my thoughts on a day to day basis. Your valiant fight for what is right stands out in time.

We recently lost 4 heroes in Oakland and another 3 in Penn. and you guys immediately came to mind.

God Bless you and your families and know that we have not forgotten you!

Former LEO
friend

April 30, 2009

39 years later your legacy continues with the hundreds of officers you have saved with the lessons you gave your life to teach that April night. While you paid a tremendous price for our education, your sacrifice has not been in vain. You continue to live in the lives of law enforcement officers. Thanks for your fidelity to duty. Carry on!

ncblue

April 6, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former MD Police Officer

April 5, 2009

Your legacy lives on in every traffic stop made in our state and others throughout the country. Thirty-nine years later I wanted to thank you for your heroism and devotion to duty on that fateful night.

Cops everywhere are safer because of lessons learned from the "Newhall Incident" and the sacrifice you and your fellow officers made. What gives me some comfort is that your loss was not in vain. You all died heroes, but more importantly, yoyu LIVED as heroes!! And that is the measure of a man. That night is etched in my heart and soul.
Bless you and your fellow officers.

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

April 5, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

The lessons of the Newhall incident have probably saved countless lives since then. Unfortunately, no matter how well trained or competent the officers are, every day on the job is a day of peril. Within the last three weeks 4 brave officers from Oakland, CA and 3 brave officers from Pittsburgh, PA have been murdered by thugs wielding AK-47s.
How brave are each of our true American heroes who face danger each day he or she pins on thier badges to police our streets so that our communities may be safeguarded.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 5, 2009

I was just a rookie Policeman on Patrol when it was announced via radio of the "Newhall Incident" You four brothers indeed changed Police Work in California and I will never forget that awful day. After the incident there was no longer any seals on shotguns and no more red plastic plugs in the barrel of Police 12 gauge shotguns. Police no longer saved their brass at the range. Police tactics forever changed that day. May you rest in peace, Sir and thank you for your service to the people of the State of California. God Bless!

Retired Police Officer Bob Reed
South Lake Tahoe PD

March 29, 2009

Rest in peace, you will always be remembered.

Anonymous

September 16, 2008

RIP

Anonymous

September 8, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Cadets of the Basic Recruit Class 333 of Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy, Tallahassee, FL, thank you for your sacrifice.

Cadet Strzalkowski
Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy

May 23, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Cadets of the Basic Recruit Class 333 of Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy, Tallahassee, FL, thank you for your sacrifice.

Cadet Strzalkowski
Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy

April 24, 2008

THE NEWHALL INCIDENT REMAINS IN OUR HEARTS. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

Pfc. Dan McElmurray
Wagener P.D./ A.C.S.O. (2000-2005)

April 15, 2008