Sergeant William J. Rutledge, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California

Sergeant William J. Rutledge

Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California

End of Watch Wednesday, May 14, 1969

Add to My Heroes

William 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

routine driving

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 9 Reflections

Rest in peace Sergeant Rutledge.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 20, 2019

Recent LODD Deaths

Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.

Pennsylvania State Police, PA

EOW: March 8, 2026

Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC

EOW: March 7, 2026

Master Trooper Steven J. Perry

North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC

EOW: March 1, 2026

Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL

EOW: November 23, 2025

Corporal David M. Hathcock

Montgomery Police Department, AL

EOW: February 22, 2026

Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo

Tennessee Department of Correction, TN

EOW: February 25, 2026

Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope

Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO

EOW: February 24, 2026

Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez