http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/13870537p-14709866c.html
Manhunt continues after fatal shooting of CHP officer near Woodland
By Erika Chavez, Cameron Jahn and Hudson Sangree -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 4:07 pm PST Thursday, November 17, 2005
[Updated at 7:55 p.m.] A California Highway Patrol officer was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon during a routine traffic stop near Woodland.
Andy Stevens was a married 13-year-veteran of the CHP's Valley Division. The 37-year-old officer was a Roseville resident.
He worked with the CHP's commercial vehicle inspection section, inspecting big rigs on this rural, two-lane stretch of County Road 96 near State Route 16.
Stevens also had authority to conduct routine stops, as was the case when he pulled over a motorist in a two-door black sedan at around 2:30 p.m.
A man sitting in a tractor across the street saw the exchange, said CHP Assistant Chief John Rowland, who heads the Valley Division. The witness said he overheard snippets of the conversation between the officer and the suspect, describing it as cordial and professional.
Then Stevens, who was leaning into the driver's side window of the car, was felled by a point-blank shot to the head.
The witness rushed to the officer's aid, using his radio to call for help.
During an emotional press conference Wednesday evening, spokesmen for the CHP and Yolo County Sheriff's Department said they have a strong description of the suspect thanks to several eyewitnesses, and vowed to bring him to justice.
"I'll tell you this: we're going to catch this person," said CHP Chief Stan Perez. "You took the life of one of my brothers tonight and we won't let you roam freely and be able to hurt someone else."
Capt. John Criste of the Yolo County Sheriff's Department echoed that sentiment.
"We may not be related by blood but we're related by the badge that we wear," Criste said of Stevens.
Then he, too, delivered a pointed message to the assailant:
"We will not rest," he said. "We will catch you."
Officials describe the suspect as a blond male in his early 40s wearing a black baseball cap with a logo on it. He was last seen driving a two-door black sedan with faded paint and tinted rear windows.
On Thursday evening, the roar of helicopters filled the air as hundreds of officers and investigators from as far away as Isleton, Dixon and Colusa County fanned out in the surrounding area, looking for clues in nearby back yards and walnut orchards.
The din was especially jarring in the neighborhood known as Willow Oak, in an unincorporated area of Yolo County just west of Woodland.
Populated by ranch-style houses on large lots, residents were startled to find the neighborhood overrun by police cars and television cameras when they arrived home from work Thursday evening.
Officers were stationed on overpasses and at intersections, scanning traffic as helicopters hovered overhead.
"It's pretty frightening, I'll tell you," said Dwight Austin, after authorities searched the woodshop and garage at the rear of his property.
"I got the house locked up, and the burglar alarm will be on tonight."
One mile from the scene of the shooting, residents and reporters watched as officers wielded guns while pulling over and questioning a man in a black sedan; he was interviewed and released shortly thereafter.
Criste said any vehicle matching the description was being stopped.
"This is a nice quiet area, so this hits pretty close to home," said neighbor Steve Holloman. "You just don't expect that. We don't need that around here."
Yolo County Sheriff's officials asked the public to call in tips to either of two numbers of the command post: (530) 666-2964 or (530) 662-0781.
After 5 p.m. on Friday, people can call the main number for the sheriff's department at (530) 668-5208.
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My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow officers.
Manhunt continues after fatal shooting of CHP officer near Woodland
By Erika Chavez, Cameron Jahn and Hudson Sangree -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 4:07 pm PST Thursday, November 17, 2005
[Updated at 7:55 p.m.] A California Highway Patrol officer was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon during a routine traffic stop near Woodland.
Andy Stevens was a married 13-year-veteran of the CHP's Valley Division. The 37-year-old officer was a Roseville resident.
He worked with the CHP's commercial vehicle inspection section, inspecting big rigs on this rural, two-lane stretch of County Road 96 near State Route 16.
Stevens also had authority to conduct routine stops, as was the case when he pulled over a motorist in a two-door black sedan at around 2:30 p.m.
A man sitting in a tractor across the street saw the exchange, said CHP Assistant Chief John Rowland, who heads the Valley Division. The witness said he overheard snippets of the conversation between the officer and the suspect, describing it as cordial and professional.
Then Stevens, who was leaning into the driver's side window of the car, was felled by a point-blank shot to the head.
The witness rushed to the officer's aid, using his radio to call for help.
During an emotional press conference Wednesday evening, spokesmen for the CHP and Yolo County Sheriff's Department said they have a strong description of the suspect thanks to several eyewitnesses, and vowed to bring him to justice.
"I'll tell you this: we're going to catch this person," said CHP Chief Stan Perez. "You took the life of one of my brothers tonight and we won't let you roam freely and be able to hurt someone else."
Capt. John Criste of the Yolo County Sheriff's Department echoed that sentiment.
"We may not be related by blood but we're related by the badge that we wear," Criste said of Stevens.
Then he, too, delivered a pointed message to the assailant:
"We will not rest," he said. "We will catch you."
Officials describe the suspect as a blond male in his early 40s wearing a black baseball cap with a logo on it. He was last seen driving a two-door black sedan with faded paint and tinted rear windows.
On Thursday evening, the roar of helicopters filled the air as hundreds of officers and investigators from as far away as Isleton, Dixon and Colusa County fanned out in the surrounding area, looking for clues in nearby back yards and walnut orchards.
The din was especially jarring in the neighborhood known as Willow Oak, in an unincorporated area of Yolo County just west of Woodland.
Populated by ranch-style houses on large lots, residents were startled to find the neighborhood overrun by police cars and television cameras when they arrived home from work Thursday evening.
Officers were stationed on overpasses and at intersections, scanning traffic as helicopters hovered overhead.
"It's pretty frightening, I'll tell you," said Dwight Austin, after authorities searched the woodshop and garage at the rear of his property.
"I got the house locked up, and the burglar alarm will be on tonight."
One mile from the scene of the shooting, residents and reporters watched as officers wielded guns while pulling over and questioning a man in a black sedan; he was interviewed and released shortly thereafter.
Criste said any vehicle matching the description was being stopped.
"This is a nice quiet area, so this hits pretty close to home," said neighbor Steve Holloman. "You just don't expect that. We don't need that around here."
Yolo County Sheriff's officials asked the public to call in tips to either of two numbers of the command post: (530) 666-2964 or (530) 662-0781.
After 5 p.m. on Friday, people can call the main number for the sheriff's department at (530) 668-5208.
-------------------------------------------------------------
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow officers.
