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I discovered this tragic story from Bo Crane of the Menlo Park Historical Association.
Jack W. Lyle has the unfortunate distinction of being the only Menlo Park Police Department officer to be killed in the line of duty. He gained that renown on Sept. 22, 1960.
Lyle was a 29-year-old officer with a wife and four young children. He was an Air Force veteran who began service with the MPPD as a reserve police officer on June 9, 1952. His first notoriety came about in March of 1960 when he rescued several children from a burning building, for which he received a commendation from the police chief.
The MPPD chief would later state that Lyle was “a quiet, mild guy” and “a very good officer.”
On the fateful day of his death, Lyle began with his regular routine until he spotted a red sports car that had been reported stolen in San Mateo. He gave chase as the vehicle drove into the parking lot of Draeger’s Market at 1010 University Avenue. Lyle maneuvered his car to block the sports car from exiting the lot. He got out of his patrol car and approached the vehicle. Suddenly, shots rang out as the driver of the stolen car shot at Lyle through the windshield, hitting Lyle three times. Lyle crumpled to the ground as the other driver got out of the car and approached the prone officer. Lyle managed to shoot the other man in the knees. Despite those injuries, the man went up to Lyle and fired once more at Lyle, hitting him in the back of the head, killing the officer.
The shooter tried to escape on foot but was quickly captured, hampered by his injuries. He was soon identified as Roy Henry Lane, Jr., 22, whom the San Mateo Times called “a wise-cracking, one-armed Stockton youth” (Lane had lost an eye and an arm through faulty experimentation with a home-made bomb). It was discovered that Lane had a lengthy criminal history, including carrying concealed weapons and burglary. One police chief familiar with Lane stated he was “mean by nature.”
The shooting quickly drew a crowd of onlookers and reporters. Lane said sarcastically to one of the latter: “A man just died because of me, and you’re laughing. Show a little respect.” He reportedly told the officers who arrested him: “I got him. I’m glad I got him.”
Lane was taken to a hospital where both legs were put into casts.
Shock of Lyle’s death was instantaneous. More than 700 officers crowded the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church on the 26th for Lyle’s funeral.
At the courthouse, the prosecutor argued during a seven-day trial that Lane committed premeditated murder and/or killed Lyle in the process of a robbery. Lane was eventually convicted of murder and, when asked by a reporter how he felt about the verdict, replied: “How would you feel?” He also told reporters that he thought he did not get a fair trial.
Lane was executed at San Quentin in Nov. of 1962.
Two poignant events later occurred to permanently mark Lyle’s memory: his badge number was retired, and the city’s Los Amigos Park was renamed Jack W. Lyle Park as a lasting tribute to a brave man.
Do you have an idea of a true crime that happened in our county that you would like to see here? Send me an email, and you may see your idea featured in a future posting on this blog.
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