Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Mantoth was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a kidnap-rape suspect. Chief Mantoth and two other officers went to the suspect's home after receiving a warrant on him. As Chief Mantoth followed the man to a room the suspect suddenly dashed for a closet and Chief Mantoth attempted to stop him. The suspect whirled around and opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol, striking Chief Mantoth twice. One of the other officers shot and wounded the suspect. The 22 year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to five years to life July 14, 1969. He was paroled March 18, 1976. On July 24, 1976, he was arrested in Bakersfield, California, after he kidnapped and brutally beat a woman. Chief Mantoth had been Chief of Police for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-CF2F7118- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Mantoth gave the Tehachapi Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tehachapi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Mantoth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William Terrell Mantoth 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 Tehachapi Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Terrell Mantoth's cause is highlighted.
How William Terrell Mantoth Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1976
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Terrell Mantoth is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Terrell Mantoth was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tehachapi Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
