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Incident
Officer Edward Bertino was shot killed when a man ambushed him and his partner outside of a home on Rubidoux Avenue. The killer's mother had called police from a neighbor's house after arguing with her son. When they arrived he shot them from the bushes after Officer Bertino ordered him to throw down his weapon and come out. Officer Bertino was shot in the stomach and his partner in the hand. Officer Bertino took cover behind their patrol car and then was shot in the head. The 29-year-old suspect was taken into custody by officers from a neighboring department. On March 21, 1940, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison. Officer Bertino had served with the Riverside Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Bertino gave the Riverside Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bertino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Riverside Police Department has lost 15 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 1 officer at Riverside Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1940, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 39. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Riverside Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 35; the middle age was 32. Edward had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Edward was 39. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Edward had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Riverside Police Department; November holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 93.3% of all 15 deaths at Riverside Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Riverside Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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John Baird
Dec 15, 1912
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Del MacIntyre
Jul 1, 1917
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Clinton Burtner
Dec 4, 1938
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Edward A. Bertino
Feb 3, 1940
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Arthur Simpson
Mar 5, 1944
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Leonard A. Christiansen
Apr 2, 1971
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Paul C. Teel
Apr 2, 1971
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William C. Prettyman
Dec 12, 1973
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Larry Eugene Walters
Nov 13, 1974
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Dennis Charles Doty
May 13, 1982
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Philip N. Trust
May 13, 1982
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Claire Nicole Carolyn Connelly
Jul 12, 1998
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Charles D. Jacobs, III
Jan 13, 2001
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Ryan Patrick Bonaminio
Nov 7, 2010
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Michael Daniel Crain
Feb 7, 2013
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Riverside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
