Chief Raymond Garcia was shot on October 1, 1971.  

On his way back to the station at the end of his shift, Chief Garcia stopped a car for a traffic violation.  Once stopped, the 80-year-old driver of the car opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol.  Although mortally wounded, Chief Garcia was able to return fire, killing the suspect.  

Chief Garcia succumbed to his wounds at 7:50 pm while en route to the hospital over one hour away.  

The Vernonia Police Department was a three-person agency at the time of Chief Garcia's murder.  

Chief Garcia, a Vietnam War veteran, had been with the Vernonia Police Department for three years.  Aged 26 at the time of his death, he was survived by his wife and 5-week-old daughter.

Adapted from information found on The Officer Down Memorial Page