Craig Peyer: CHP Killer

43 Responses to “Craig Peyer: CHP Killer”

1. 

   M. Hemmingson said on Monday, September 6, 2004, 9:45

   Interesting that Lisa Petrillo comes back with this article, after her awful flop of a book, BADGE OF BETRAYAL, from 1991. I remember this case as well, and have slowly been working on my own project about it. A friend who taught at SDSU had two students who had been pulled over by Peyer; I talked to them. The man was a freak. He liked to specifically pull over blonde women in VW bugs. This seemed to be downplayed at the trial, or the media – what was his thing with blonde women in VWs? Did one reject him in the past, when he was younger?

   It is also interesting to note that a lot of veterans of the CHP, who were Peyer’s buddy, believe he is innocent and was railroaded, and they instill this theory into every new CHP officer here in San Diego. I discovered this when I went searching through their records a few years ago, and the hostility I got back, and several mysterious threatening phone calls late at night telling me to stop sticking my nose in places where it wasn’t wanted.

   See, during the trail, some of Peyer’s records, for some of those tickets he wrote for women he “chatted up” mysteriously vanished. “Misplaced” as they like to call it, as computers were old dinosaurs back then and record-keeping often sloppy. I wasn’t looking for the records, per se, since the D.A.’s office already had, but who in the department was an accomplice to obstruction of justice.

   Where is Eric Estrada when you need him? The culture of silence and cover-up runs deep in the CHP, as witnessed by the recent case against the out of control CHP officer in Ramona a few months ago that was headline news. And since Peyer, there have been many cases of out of control CHP officers in San Diego – as Peyer said, “You don’t piss them off,” and these guys have the biggest heads, and may very well be more of a criminal police agency than the Border Patrol.
2. 

   Joe Crawford said on Monday, September 6, 2004, 10:20

   Whoa. I was not expecting that much background. When you going to write about this Michael? Sounds like fertile ground for a story, even with the threats.

   The book you mention is available on Amazon: Badge of Honor.
3. 

   David Moye said on Tuesday, September 7, 2004, 13:36

   My favorite piece on Craig Peyer is “Mercy Road,” a song by
   San Diego songwriter John Katchur that he wrote back in the
   early 1990s. Besides, it’s got a good beat (although I doubt anyone
   actually dances to it).
4. 

   John Schick said on Sunday, October 3, 2004, 8:32

   No one, especially law enforcement, likes to admit one of their
   “own” is over the top. Many people who are attrachted to police
   work are there for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully, psych. testing
   weeds those out who need power trips to valadate their lives. However, I’ve seen my share of”bigger than God” cops who treat the public like insects under their feet. As long as they don’t commit crime I can deal with out of control egos. What I can’t tolerate is apathetic supervisors who don’t investigate complaints, or try to cover up criminal conduct.
5. 

   Tom Leazotte said on Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 12:27

   Hello I am an Internal Affairs Investigator for the police department in Avondale AZ. I am putting together a class on
   complaint investigations. I remembere seeing a documentary type show about CHP failing to investigate the complaints on Peyer. I have been trying to find a copy of that tape. Any assistance would be appreciated. I can also be reached at 623-478-3144.

   Thank you.
6. 

   Jerry Hagans said on Friday, November 24, 2006, 16:33

   Contact Court TV, they ave a Forensic Files Episode of the case. I’m your neighbor in Glendale….
7. 

   Joe Crawford said on Saturday, November 25, 2006, 8:06

   Thanks Jerry — it looks like the episode is called Badge of Betrayal. It’s a helluva case, for sure.
8. 

   SYL Giraud said on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 19:10

   No question the man did it.Remember,he is not the only one.In 1981 it was CHP officer George Gwalny that raped and shot a woman motorist in or around Barstow.It also took two trials to convict him.Fortunetly for all californians,this piece of human garbage died of a heart attack in prison.One final note.I undertstand that at the CHP academy in sacramento there is a wall commemerating all fallen CHP officers by name from the patrols creation in1927 to present.There should be a Wall Of Shame with these two individuals on it for future recruits to see also
9. 

   lafave said on Thursday, May 17, 2007, 3:23

   Don’t think this headcase, power mongrel was an exception – he was just an extreme example of the whack jobs in uniform who plague citizens nationwide.

   Criminals with a badge and a license to kill.
10. 

    Lafave said on Thursday, May 17, 2007, 3:34

    ……..forgot to mention his brother in blue from Florida: State trooper Tim Harris. This pervert regularly stalked I95 for victims but was captured after pulling over an attractive victim and strangling her after kidnapping and rape. Like Ted Bundy (his mentor) he removed the door handle of the passenger door to prevent his victims from escaping.

    The mandatory minimum for these SOB’s should be the electric chair. Why did Peyer only get 25 years? Why did was this Florida killer allowed to remarry in prison? Bubba should have shared his honeymoon suite. I don’t recall hundreds of cops attending the funeral for any of the VICTIMS killed by their brothers in blue.

    Is it any wonder LESS THAN 58 percent of citizens rate law enforcement scum as high or very high in the categories of honesty and integrity.

    That nefarious blue line is actually vomit yellow.
11. 

    Kenneth L. Ration said on Thursday, May 17, 2007, 20:46

    George Gwaltney wasn’t the only maniac out of the Barstow CHP.

    And wasn’t there a now-convicted CHP veteran child-predator out of Orange County?
12. 

    PirateNews.org said on Saturday, May 26, 2007, 18:47

    Tennessee Highway Patrol videotaped his extortion and rape of porn star Barbie Cummings during a traffic stop, and still wrote her 3 tickets! THP fired him, but he’s still getting his regular paycheck, pending his appeal. He had a record of doing this, with many similar complaints previously filed. This is the 3rd time cops in Lebanon TN raped women on the hoods of their cars, recorded on police in-car videocams. If this porn star hadn’t been accustomed to seeing herself screwing strangers on video, this crime would never have been reported. The trooper has not yet been arrested for this crime spree, which made international headlines this week. Did you know that cops can now watch internet porn on their in-car computers?
13. 

    Veelo said on Friday, August 10, 2007, 21:53

    Piratenews.com I don’t know your sources but the sex act with that state trooper wasn’t rape.
14. 

    Renee said on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, 13:00

    I must say, this Craig Peyer is a sociopath and I truly believe in an eye for an eye. My son is now a police officer and he had to go through extreme measures to become a police officer, he had to pass a psychology test amongst others. I guess Peyer didn’t go through that type of thorough measures to become a CHP, or else he wouldn’t have made it, they would have found him to be a looney and weeded him out. If they had done so, plenty of women might have never had to deal with the likes of Peyer, he is most definitely scum and should go to hell.
15. 

    Dawn said on Thursday, January 24, 2008, 22:18

    I went to high school with Cara’s cousin in 1986-88 – this touched their family in a way that still can not be defined. This was a sad and tragic event that led to some very good laws being enacted by a grieving father – Sam Knott. What an amazing man!

    I no longer live in San Diego, but my family does, so I visit often, and his (Peyer’s) actions will forever be on my mind. I will never let anyone pull me over in an unlit unpopulated area – ever!

    I am now a Criminal Justice Major and the topic about police ethics comes up often, and I always grieve (for the Knott family) when I use this example. They are still in my prayers after all these years.

    I hope that Peyer never sees the outside of a cell.
16. 

    John Doe said on Monday, January 28, 2008, 10:29

    Any news on the parole board hearing. There is nothing in the media about his hearing. Only a small clip on TV news.
17. 

    Mr. Jones said on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, 14:28

    As a cop, Peyer had a higher standard to uphold. He should rot in jail for the rest of his life. Also, why is he at a MEDIUM-SECURITY prison? I can only imagine the horror of Cara Knott’s last minutes and the years of suffering by her family.
18. 

    Gail said on Thursday, January 31, 2008, 16:40

    Yes!! He was denied parole. Too bad they can’t hang him at a parole hearing…
19. 

    MongoLloyd said on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 6:21

    Mr Jones – I agree with you. He should be held to a higher standard. I was living one exit north of Mercy Road when this took place. I remember the fear in the air. He violated public trust, as many cops feel it is okay to do. In the early 80s, I remember watching San Diego PD roll winos at 2am, beating them with their nightsticks for amusement. The “wall of blue”, officers protecting officers, keeps them safe to continue. When caught, they should be punished more severely than an average citizen for violating that public trust.
20. 

    Bonnie said on Sunday, February 10, 2008, 20:47

    I once worked with Craig Peyer when he was assigned to the CHP office in Malibu. I was beyond sickened to learn of this horrific act he committed. He had been such a “model officer” who always seemed to go out of his way to help others. My heart goes out to the Knott family. Along with the Knott family and many others, I pray that he never sees the outside of a prison. His refusal of the DNA test to prove his “innocence” should be a no brainer for the parole board’s decisions every four years and seal the fate for his lifetime behind bars.
21. 

    Harold Klein said on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 6:30

    Yeah, no one can trust cops, they are all dirty, rape anyone they can get ahold of, and would murder you if they thought they could get away with it. And it’s true, they just get into the job so they can pump their already inflated ego’s even more, no other reason. Just look at Peyer and the other few bad examples out there. They act like they are needed or something. Did you know they are the only profession that has bad people employed within their ranks. There are no firemen, teachers, priests, doctors, nurses, bankers, judges committing murder, rape, or other horrendous crimes out there….Yeah right!!!! Sad, but unfortunately the horrific crimes of these small percentage of police officers, is all that some ignorant people remember, rather than looking at all the good this noble profession does 24 hours a day. I bet the people that lump all the cops into one bad bucket because of the few that deserve to be locked up, are the first to call 911 when they hear a bump in the night.
22. 

    David said on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 16:32

    I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Klein. It is unfortunate, but society ash a whole, including those employed in law enforcement and every other profession, have small percentages of people that are less than desireable. But to paint law enforcement as bad, is rediculous!!! Craig Peyer is a predator and should be locked up forever, to never again prey on the innocent, as should all the other people in other professions commiting the same horrific crimes. Let’s leave the actions of the few exactly that….the actions of the few.
23. 

    Janice Kirkland said on Friday, February 22, 2008, 22:33

    Mr. Klein, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
24. 

    kenneth l. ration said on Sunday, February 24, 2008, 6:18

    And there was the lovely Cara and evil Craig once again on TRuTv(aka CourtTv) last night.

    Cara and Sam are now both gone. No doubt the CHP would rather sweep this all under the rug and have it all forgotten..Just like how George Gwaltney murdered Robin Bishop…Killers with badges.
25. 

    JOHN AMBROSE said on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 10:14

    …cop or not…murderers ought to have their heads cut off…..guillotine is a great invention……..this is justice, and strangely the arabs do this well.
26. 

    kenneth L. ration said on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:11

    Raising the right hand to swear to protect and serve–what a bunch of crap.It is means nothing. Why not just put it on the crotch, because nobody strokes their genitals in self praise more than cops do. And gets off more on abuse than they do.
27. 

    kenneth L. ration said on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:13

    Raising the right hand to swear to protect and serve–what a bunch of crap.It means nothing. Why not just put it on the crotch, because nobody strokes their genitals in self praise more than cops do. And gets off more on abuse than they do.
28. 

    anomynous said on Thursday, March 13, 2008, 15:44

    messed up!
29. 

    Samuel Harrigan said on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 2:31

    Sounds like Kenneth L. Ration has some anger issues, or drives to fast. Peyer is sick, and destroyed many lives, and is a disgrace to Law Enforcement and mankind. Sounds like Janice Kirkland is one of the people that Mr Klein refers to that calls 911 when she hears the bump in the night. Sad people hate so much. Law enforcement does alot of good out there….keep up the good work, and know the community as a whole supports you.
30. 

    Samuel Harrigan said on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 2:37

    Oh, and let’s not forget about Kenneth L. Ration’s anger issues towards law enforcement. You my son are scary, and you wonder why cops have to wear guns!!!!
31. 

    kenneth l ration said on Sunday, March 23, 2008, 0:51

    To set the record straight–

    My beloved daughter was sexually abused by a cop who pulled her over because he liked the way she looked. End of story.
32. 

    Cheryl Steadman said on Sunday, March 23, 2008, 23:09

    Kenneth L. Ration, sorry to hear about your daughter being sexually abused, hopefully the cop you refer to is behind bars. It is sad you place all people into catagories according to their jobs. You must have a hard time in life because there are criminals in all types of work, including yours. Craig Peyer is a predator, and should be locked up forever!!! He deserved worse than what he got, for what he did to Cara and her family. There is a multitude of great men and women in law enforcement out there putting their life on the line everyday protecting us and I would like to thank them!!! Craig Peyer however, is a disgrace, should have never been in law enforcement, and deserves to rot in jail forever.
33. 

    Suzer said on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 20:45

    I thought about Cara Knott today. I was a college student in San Diego at the time of her murder. Twenty-one years later, a police officer at LAX tried to pull me over in an unlit area. I refused. I pulled over in an area that was well-lit, and the officer chastised me for failing to pull over in a timely manner. I said to him, “I remember Cara Knott”. I had to explain to my younger husband, a non-native San Diegan, about the apprehension I’ve had toward law enforcement officers since 1986. He really didn’t understand. Peyer’s extreme violation of trust stays with me to this day.
34. 

    Kris said on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 10:31

    Well Kenneth, what a way to lump everyone together. Everyone is sorry about your daughter being raped by a cop but for you to lump all cops together as all being low life scum because one did a terrible thing to your daughter is selfish, unfair and ignorant.

    In regards to Peyer, yes he is guilty. Even if a lot of people believed he was innocent or at least had doubts about his guilt I think that was erased when he refused to volunteer his DNA for testing. I believe they asked him 3 or 4 years ago to supply it because San Diego County was actually re-investigating past cases to see if any innocent people were put in jail. They asked Peyer if he would be interested in supplying his DNA and he said “No” so that pretty much erases any doubt there was about his guilt.

    I believe the overwhelming majority of cops are good people. I think people are misled into thinking most cops are scum because of the way the media portrays them. The media rarely reports on the good things cops do everyday but they are more than happy to report on the horrible things some cops do and they over expose it and this makes people think a majority of cops are bad.

    Of course there are bad cops, I am not disputing this. I would say the overwhelming majority of cops are at least decent individuals that do their jobs the best they can and they do their jobs the way they are supposed to. Of course a few bad apples will spoil the whole bunch.

    Craig Peyer from what I have read and heard was before the murder of Cara Knott known as a very good cop by most people that knew him. The leadership might have known something was up with him but I think most of his fellow officers sincerely thought he was a good cop, they didnt know about his dark side.

    Also one more thing, Peyer didnt “only” get 25 years. He got a life sentence and he can b e paroled after 25 years. He is already having parole hearings but the earliest that he could actually be released from prison would be 2012. In California, the chances of any lifer getting parole is pretty slim. Basically the only lifers that get paroled are lifers that have admitted they did the crime.

    Also, the death penalty would have really done squat in this case. I am personally against it but even if you supported it, even if Peyer had been sentenced to death, he would still be alive. On average it takes 20 to 25 years for an inmate’s appeals in California to run-out.
35. 

    John Smith said on Thursday, May 15, 2008, 21:57

    I remember reading about this case in the 1992 book “You’re the Jury”, but with the names of the people involved changed. I watched an episode of Forensic Files about this case today, i’m glad to finally know the whole story behind it.
36. 

    Teresa Meyer said on Friday, May 16, 2008, 0:31

    I see the abuse of the power behind the badge by CHP officer’s in the town in which I live. I believe they are given this power when there supervisors omitt complaint’s by the public or reports go unfounded against these officers and their attitude are like the quote from the artical,”They are so amped up by their power that they brag, and there are two people you don’t piss off in this world: God and the majority of the California Highway Patrol”. The bad out weights, the good which is very few and far between, in the town in which I live.
37. 

    haha mchaha said on Sunday, May 18, 2008, 13:31

    “Ken L Ration”??? Funny troll. Nice job of getting these Noobs to respond to your rape story! I bet you sit in your trailer and whack off a lot.
38. 

    Nancy Blair-Alex said on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 1:47

    I have been conducting astrological research for the past forty-plus years into preventing accidents and attacks. I would appreciate anyone providing me with Craig Peyer’s birth date. The time of birth and place would be ideal, but probably too much to ask. I have Cara Knott’s birth date from the recent “Forensic Files” showing, and, ideally, would need her complete data, also. Thanks for any help. Just doing my bit for humanity — we need all the help we can get (and astrology does work if you know what to look for).
39. Submitizens | Fresno Criminal Defense said on Thursday, December 11, 2008, 8:12

    [...] one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this…need I go [...]
40. 

    john said on Friday, May 22, 2009, 9:13

    Peyer STILL professes his innocence. I have a friend who works at CMC in SLO. He says Peter is a snivelling whimp. I guess with his “Power Base” takin from him he is reduced to the bottom denominator: A worm of a man. More to come, folks!
41. 

    cophata said on Saturday, July 25, 2009, 13:12

    police corruption is much more rampant than people think. I wrote a book called the Badge Rapist due to be published here soon and it is a true account of a cop that raped several women and amazingly, because his department chose to cover up his crimes, is still on the force. Not when this book comes out he wont be! Ladies, watch yourselves out there. Had I been the Vara Knott, dirtbag that night I would have kept on going because that would ensure lots of cops would repsond. It amazes me he got away with sexual harrassment and possiblly rape with all the complaints he had against him. Hd they been properly invetigated that Cara knottl would still be alvie.armr yourselfs folks…Remember…when you see a cop and all the stuff he carries, guns, flashlights..its to use against innocent people like Cara Knott. There are a lot of us out there that have survived our ordeals only to have uppser crusties hide evidence.
42. 

    Lynn said on Saturday, July 25, 2009, 13:16

    I just came across this site after watching a show about Cara Knott’s murder. Janice Kirkland said:
    “Mr. Klein, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Ms. Kirkland, it sounds more as though you’re saying, “If you don’t agree that all police are evil, corrupt rapists and murderers, go away and don’t post anything.” Are you saying that other viewpoints shouldn’t be posted?
43. 

    John said on Thursday, December 31, 2009, 17:40

    I read all these posts about scumbag cops. C’mon 99% are good…really. Of all the cops in the San Bernadino county there have been 2 tht have been slime ball thugs….the vast majority are extremly dedicated to their careers…you only read about the criminal ones. Peyer and Gwaltney happened in the ’80′s. A number of things have changed since then. Psycological screeining of those interested in law enforcement have improved dramtically. Complaints of officers are now required to be checked out. Computers keep trach of reports, complaints, and where and when officers are. Dash -mounted cameras can view what occurs at traffic stops. Most of all, these two instances happened before DNA existed. An officer today has to be a complete idiot to not realize that if they choose a life of crime, they can be instantly tied to a crime as an on-duty officer.