CHP Officer Shot to Death

Friday, October 2, 1981

Officer Johnny R. Martinez and his partner Officer James Szabo were clearing debris obstructing the San Bernardino Freeway in East Los Angeles when a vehicle pulled alongside the two officers and the three occupants opened fire at point-blank range. Martinez, 33, was fatally wounded and died the next day. Szabo, 27, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, received a neck wound and recovered. An intense manhunt ensued for the killers. One of the suspects and a companion later were later killed in a shoot-out in Salt Lake City. Officer Martinez was a four-year member of the CHP.