(SACRAMENTO) — To honor the four slain California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers, known as the “Newhall Four”, who provided extraordinary public service, Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) authored a resolution to rename a portion of I-5 as the California Highway Patrol Officers James E. Pence, Jr., Roger D. Gore, Walter C. Frago, and George M. Alleyn Memorial Highway.  Yesterday, the resolution passed the State Senate. “The State Senate unanimously passed this important resolution to honor the memory of the four brave CHP officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect the safety of our community in Santa Clarita Valley and the state,” said Senator George Runner.

 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 93 would designate the portion of the Golden State Freeway (Interstate-5), between the Rye Canyon Road overcrossing and Magic Mountain Parkway, as the California Highway Patrol Officers James E. Pence, Jr., Roger D. Gore, Walter C. Frago, and George M. Alleyn Memorial Highway. On April 6, 1970, Officers Pence, Gore, Frago and Alleyn lost their lives in a 4 ½ minute gun battle.  The slaying occurred in a restaurant parking lot just before midnight.  Because of this tragedy, the CHP has revamped its set of procedures to be followed during high-risk and felony stops, with an emphasis at every step on officer safety. Runner continued, “The tragedy that occurred over thirty years ago still has a lasting impact today. It resulted in a stronger emphasis on safety procedures for CHP officers.  These four officers’ sacrifice not only protected the safety of our community but ultimately made the CHP stronger and more resolute.”

 

SCR 93 passed unanimously in the State Senate with a 38-0 vote.  It now moves to the State Assembly where it should be heard in a policy committee over the next few weeks.