Arcadia, CA Police Department

The History of the Arcadia Police Department Motorcycle Unit

Officer Albert E. Matthies

On the night of July 19, 1927, at 12:07 a.m., Albert E. Matthies, a 27-year-old police officer, was patrolling in the area of Northview and Laurel when he saw three suspicious men sitting in a car. He stopped to investigate and started to question the men. Without warning, an 18-year-old sitting in the back seat opened fire and Matthies was killed instantly. The suspects fled, but were later arrested and convicted of his murder. Investigation into the incident revealed that the three murderers were in a stolen car and had intended to rob the “Wigwam Barbeque,” a restaurant located nearby on Foothill Boulevard.

4/17/32 – Formal Arcadia PD group photo near Wheeler Street station. Back row left to right: E. “Med” Cayer, Leo Bertolina, Police Chief L. Jack Richards, Henry W. Haines, Paul Edwards. Motorcycle officers, left to right: Jack Stine, Gary Pardue, Donald Ott. Standing in back: Fire Chief Jim Nellis.
2006 Officer Katy Johnson

Information and Photos provided by Arcadia Police Department