Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Glenn Carlson was shot and killed while attempting to stop suspected bank robbers near Donner Lake on Highway 80 after 9 pm. He had stopped the men and written the driver a speeding ticket. As the car pulled away, he learned that the license plates had been stolen. He called for backup and began to chase the suspects. The suspect's vehicle suddenly stopped, and one of the men jumped out and opened fire, striking Officer Carlson five times. All three men, convicted felons and on parole in Oregon, were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. One of the men only served five years of his crime before returning to Oregon to serve his time for parole violation. Oregon granted him asylum and did not return him to California to serve his sentence. In the 2000s, he was arrested as a fugitive and died fighting his extradition. The shooter escaped prison in 1974 but was still paroled in the late 1970s. The third suspect was paroled in 1974. Officer Carlson was a United States Marine Corps Korean War veteran and served with the California Highway Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife, three children, parents, and sister. A bypass over California State Route 267 near Old Brockway Road in Truckee is named the CHP Officer Glenn Carlson Memorial Bypass
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-268C54EF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Carlson gave the California Highway Patrol 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Glenn W. Carlson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Glenn W. Carlson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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. Glenn W. Carlson's cause is highlighted.
How Glenn W. Carlson Compares
Offender Outcome
All released from prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Glenn W. Carlson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Glenn W. Carlson was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
