Police Officer Ernest H. Philbrick

Ernest H. Philbrick

Police Officer Ernest Philbrick was killed in a motorcycle crash while he and two other traffic officers attempted to stop a traffic violator on 14th Street near Seminary Avenue.

As the three officers sped up 14th Street a vehicle slowed to let the first officer pass, not realizing there were two more officers following. The driver began to turn onto Seminary Avenue when he collided with Officer Philbrick.

The vehicle they were attempting to stop was never located.

Officer Philbrick had served with the Oakland Police Department for six years and had just been assigned to the Motorcycle Squad three weeks before the crash. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children from a previous marriage. His wife had gone to a hospital shortly before the crash to give birth to their child.