Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Gale Eldridge was shot and killed while struggling with a robbery suspect. During the struggle, Officer Eldridge was shot in the stomach. Patrolman Eldridge stopped a 24 year old man who was wanted for an attempted motel holdup. When Patrolman Eldridge approached the suspects' car he observed the suspect with two handguns; the two grappled for the guns in the front seat of the suspects car. The suspect fired the revolver he had in his left hand, striking the officer in the midsection. As they continued to struggle, the officer caused the suspect to accidentally fire the .32 caliber semi-automatic in his right hand. That round struck the suspect in the head, killing him instantly. The officer then returned to his patrol car where he collapsed, halfway in and halfway out of the car, while he was attempting to radio for help.
Survivors
Officer Eldridge is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8BEFD44D- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Eldridge gave the Palm Springs Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palm Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Eldridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Gale Gene Eldridge 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 97,772 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 Palm Springs Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gale Gene Eldridge's cause is highlighted.
How Gale Gene Eldridge Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gale Gene Eldridge is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gale Gene Eldridge was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Palm Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
