Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Ernest Felio was shot and killed after making a traffic stop in Smith River. A witness testified he heard a brief conversation between Officer Felio and the suspect before hearing gunshots. The suspect shot Officer Felio twice and then took his service revolver. The suspect was later apprehended and sentenced to death. He committed suicide in jail by hanging himself in his cell. Officer Felio had served with the California Highway Patrol for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-81652001- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Ernest is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Felio gave the California Highway Patrol 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Felio.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ernest Ray Felio served in the U.S. Navy (1950â1954) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Ernest Ray Felio is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,784 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ernest Ray Felio's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest Ray Felio Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest Ray Felio is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest Ray Felio was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Ernest Ray Felio served in the U.S. Navy (1950–1954) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ernest Ray Felio’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
