DA Clears CA Officer in Fatal Shooting of Gunman Outside Station
Officer Milward made contact with the man outside of the police station. He told the officer he was waiting for someone. As Milward turned away the suspect drew a pistol and opened fire. Milward was hit in the chest and went down.

Still from body-worn camera video shows gunman shooting at Officer Milward. A second officer returned fire and killed the suspect. (Photo: Orange County DA)
The Orange County (CA) District Attorney’s Office has cleared a La Habra, CA, police officer who shot and killed a man outside of the department’s station in 2021. The suspect shot an officer before the second officer shot him.
On Aug. 6, 2021, shortly after 7 p.m., a woman called 911 reporting that a man was following her vehicle. The 911 call-taker directed the woman to drive to the La Habra police station. The man followed her.
Officer Milward made contact with the man outside of the police station. He told the officer he was waiting for someone. As Milward turned away the suspect drew a pistol and opened fire. Milward was hit in the chest and went down.
A second officer, Officer Fox fired five rounds at the gunman, mortally wounding him.
The suspect, identified as Matthew-Tuan Tran was pronounced dead at 7:26 p.m.
Local media reports the round that hit Officer Milward in the chest penetrated his vest. He spent a week in the hospital and later recovered at home, ABC 7 reports.
No motive for the attack on the officers or the harassment of the female driver has been revealed.
More Patrol

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →