“His family has been missing him for 50 years today. The world lost a great man that day.”

— Susan Stewart

Two law enforcement officers who were gunned down by a parolee in the Cajon Pass more than 40 years ago were honored Tuesday by their respective departments.

California Highway Patrol Officer Larry Wetterling, 30, and 39-year-old Lt. Alfred Stewart, of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, were both on duty when they were shot and killed on March 9, 1973.

A sheriff’s captain told the Sun that Stewart was a “hard-driving cop with a loving heart.” A Marine Corps veteran who served in the Korean War, Stewart was set to be promoted to captain of the department’s narcotics division the week following his death, then-Sheriff Frank Bland said at the time.

Stewart left behind a wife, two sons and a daughter. He was also a founding member of the California Narcotics Officers' Association.

The nonprofit issues the Alfred E. Stewart Award annually "to a member of law enforcement who has distinguished himself/herself through dedicated service and personal achievement in drug enforcement duties," according to its website.

Marie Stewart is assisted in her wheelchair by son Matthew Stewart in front of the memorial that includes the name of Deputy Al Stewart, who was killed in 1973.

Al was one of the founding members of CNOA and the eighth president, having served his term in 1972. The Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Award was created in 1973 to memorialize Al in a most fitting way-honoring individual achievement of working narcotic officers.

Since that time, over 50 people have received the coveted award, and those that have been nominated or received the award all agree that it is truly humbling. In the field of narcotics enforcement, there is no greater honor than to be the recipient of an award named after a legend.