California Pizza Kitchen Holding Fundraiser For Slain CHP Officer

A local fundraiser is underway this week for the family of a California Highway Patrol Officer who was gunned down in Southern California earlier this month.

California Pizza Kitchen is supporting the family of Officer Andre Moye Jr. with a fundraiser all day Tuesday, Aug. 27, at every one of its California locations.

The eatery is donating 20 percent of tabs for dine-in, take-out and catering. All of the proceeds will go to the family of the slain officer, according to an event flyer. (Show the bottom attached flyer at any statewide California Pizza Kitchen location during the Aug. 27 event.)

Moye, 34, was gunned down Aug. 12 by a convicted felon during a traffic stop in Riverside County. Aaron Luther, 49, of Beaumont, fatally shot the patrolman after Moye and a backup officer in another unit stopped the ex-con for a violation in the area of Box Springs Boulevard and Eastridge Avenue, just west of Interstate 215, about 5:30 p.m.

"During that stop, the lone suspect produced a weapon and fired at Officer Moye, severely injuring him," said Officer Ryan Railsback. "The backup CHP officer ... immediately took gunfire from the suspect and returned fire. He called for assistance during the gunfight and was also struck, which caused a critical injury to one of his legs."

Multiple CHP officers and Riverside County sheriff's deputies converged on the scene after the distress call went out, engaging Luther, who was armed with a semiautomatic rifle, possibly assembled from a kit. The weapon had been stashed somewhere in the shooter's GMC pickup.

"The exchange of gunfire between the suspect and law enforcement continued for several minutes, resulting in a third CHP officer being struck," Railsback said. "An RPD officer arrived to the west of the suspect and exchanged gunfire with him. The suspect was severely injured, causing him to stop his attack."

Moye was retrieved by a Riverside Police Department helicopter crew, who flew him to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he was pronounced dead minutes later.

The leg-shot CHP officer and the third officer, who suffered superficial wounds, were also taken to the county hospital. The latter was treated and released that night. The officer with the critical is expected to make a full recovery, according to the CHP.

Luther, who had prior convictions for attempted murder and assault, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

A motive for the attack remains unclear, but Dennis Luther told reporters that he believed his son, contending with a troubled marriage and suffering knee ailments that were preventing him from working construction jobs, may have been bent on committing suicide by cop.

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel attended Moye's Aug. 20 public memorial service at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside.

"Andre had a servant's heart," said CHP Inland Division Chief Bill Dance, who praised Moye for his "exemplary" skills as a motorcycle officer, having made it through the agency's grueling motor training program on the first go.

"Andre always had a positive attitude. He never complained, and he never hesitated to help. They say a life that touches others goes on forever. Andre certainly touched a lot of lives."

Moye is survived by his wife, Sara, father, mother, stepfather, brothers and sisters.

—City News Service contributed to this report.