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James E. Pence Jr.
Agency patch
Officer

James E. Pence Jr.

California Highway Patrol — Sacramento, CA
Felonious
United States flag California flag
End of Watch April 6, 1970
Age 24
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 6885
The Vigil Panel 234 · Column 2 · Line 15 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Department 233

Incident

Officer James Pence, Jr., was one of four California Highway Patrol officers who was slain in an incident that became known as the Newhall Incident. Officer Pence had served with the California Highway Patrol for two years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. He is buried in Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery, Fairfield, Solano County, California. A portion of I-5, between Rye Canyon Road and Magic Mountain Parkway, in Los Angeles County, was renamed the "California Highway Patrol Officers James E. Pence, Jr., Roger D. Gore, Walter C. Frago, and George M. Alleyn Memorial Highway" in their honor. On the night of April 5th, 1970, two subjects shot and killed California Highway Patrol Officers James E. Pence, Jr., Roger D. Gore, Walter C. Frago, and George M. Alleyn at the junction of Henry Mayo Drive and The Old Road in Valencia. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers in the Newhall area were notified by radio that a handgun brandishing had occurred on US 99 in the Gorman area north of their location. Officer Roger Gore and Officer Walter Frago informed dispatch that they were staked out in the area of Castaic Junction and US 99. A short time later, they spotted the vehicle traveling south on the freeway. The officers notified dispatch and their backup officers that they were following the vehicle as it continued south. The officers intended to make a vehicle stop when the gunman reached the area of Valencia Boulevard, where Officer James Pence and Officer George Alleyn were positioned. The vehicle instead exited the off-ramp at Henry Mayo Drive at The Old Road, just north of Valencia, and pulled into the parking lot of J's Coffee Shop. After activating their red lights and drawing their weapons, Officer Gore ordered the suspects to exit the car with their hands up. They failed to comply, and the order was given again. Finally, the driver got out of the car and was told to lean against the left fender in order to submit to a search. The passenger still did not

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Pence gave the California Highway Patrol 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Pence.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department California Highway Patrol
Type Highway Patrol
Location Sacramento, CA
Platform Identity chp.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 6, 1970
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 24
Badge Number 6885
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

California Highway Patrol has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer James E. Pence Jr.

California Highway Patrol · End of Watch April 6, 1970

Where the Name Is Cut

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