U.S. Army · United States 
John Pedro
2002
John Pedro served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Officer John Pedro was killed in an automobile accident in Santa Cruz County while attempting to stop a vehicle at 6:59 am.
Officer Pedro, who had only been on duty for 14 minutes, turned on his emergency lights and accelerated onto an exit ramp from Highway 1 near Watsonville. As he did so, his patrol car went out of control and overturned several times before striking a tree.
Officer Pedro was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for 13 years.
In June 2005, a stretch of Highway 1 between Harkins Slough Road and the Pajaro River Bridge was renamed the John Pedro Memorial Freeway.
Officer Pedro, who had only been on duty for 14 minutes, turned on his emergency lights and accelerated onto an exit ramp from Highway 1 near Watsonville. As he did so, his patrol car went out of control and overturned several times before striking a tree.
Officer Pedro was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for 13 years.
In June 2005, a stretch of Highway 1 between Harkins Slough Road and the Pajaro River Bridge was renamed the John Pedro Memorial Freeway.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, also a California Highway Patrol officer, and 2-year-old daughter.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
California Highway Patrol
Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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