10/30/2026
On October 29, 2026, representatives from the CHP Museum in West Sacramento stopped by the CHP Indio Area office to create a display honoring the life of fallen Officer Daniel Muehlhausen. The display is located in the lobby of the Indio office.
Officer Muehlhausen’s Story
At approximately 11:00 am on June 1, 1997, Officer
Daniel “Dan” Muehlhausen (13933) was driving on
State Route 62 in the CHP Indio Area, heading to
assist a disabled driver, when his patrol vehicle was
struck by an oncoming vehicle attempting to pass
traffic as they traversed a blind dip in the two-lane
desert highway east of Palm Springs. The collision
caused both vehicles to burst into flames, killing Officer
Muehlhausen along with the driver and passenger in
the other vehicle. The driver had been warned earlier
in the day when another driver in his group of four
vehicles had been cited for attempting to pass unsafely.
Officer Muehlhausen was 30 years old. He graduated
from the CHP Academy in April 1995, and the CHP
Indio Area was his first and only assignment.
On the morning of August 21, 2026, an es**rt detail
carrying Officer Muehlhausen’s effects arrived at the
CHP Academy from Southern California. In Honor
Guard dress uniform were Officers Church and Wan-Yu
Tai (23719) from Southern Division, accompanied by
Indio Area Sergeants Eric Peña (15339) and Hector
Gutierrez (16674). Combined, the two sergeants have
served over 50 years in the Indio Area.