Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Wednesday, May 14, 1969
Add to My HeroesWilliam J. Rutledge
Sergeant Rutledge and Investigator William Carter were killed in an automobile crash while returning to Indio from Blythe.
The patrol unit they were in veered off U.S. 10 on Chiriaco Summit and struck the back of a truck. Sergeant Rutledge was killed instantly and Investigator Carter succumbed to his injuries six days later.
Sergeant Carter had been with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, three children, parents, and brother.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Automobile crash
Related LODD Deaths
Investigator William F. Carter, Jr.
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 20, 1969
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsRest in peace Sergeant Rutledge.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
June 20, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026