Officer Ralph D. Percival, California Highway Patrol, California

Officer Ralph D. Percival

California Highway Patrol, California

End of Watch Monday, June 3, 1974

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Ralph D. Percival

Officer Ralph Percival was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on a traffic stop on Highway 280 near Farm Hill Boulevard in Redwood City at 5 pm.

He had completed writing the citation and was returning to his motorcycle when he was struck.

The 47-year-old subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year in prison.

Officer Percival had been with the California Highway Patrol for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 44
Tour 16 years
Badge 2402

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Sentenced to 1 year

motorcycle, traffic stop

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Motor officers tend to hang out with motor officers across agency lines. I was with Redwood City PD and Ralph was based at the local CHP office. We often met at the A&W Drive-In for coffee or something cold. He was such a decent person who obviously loved his family and was so pleasant to spend time with--just a down-to-earth nice guy. We had one of those meets in May 1974, the week before his tragic passing.

Former Sergeant Lawrence Taylor
Redwood City Police Department

October 4, 2025