By Brian Rokos
The Press-Enterprise
HEMET, Calif. — The man had all the looks of a cop.
There was his motorcycle, a black-and-white bike with flashing lights and the words “Traffic Public Safety” printed on the side. He wore a green uniform with the winged wheels patch that adorns the uniforms of motorcycle officers and a badge announcing him as a member of the “Motor Officer Traffic Unit.”
And the man appeared ready to enforce the law — with force, if necessary — carrying what appeared to be a Glock-style pistol, two stun guns, pepper spray and a baton, Hemet police said.
But Marshal Goodnight is not a U.S. Marshal or any other kind of peace officer, Hemet police said following his arrest on Monday, July 21 , after 911 callers reported him turning on his emergency lights and breaking traffic laws around town.
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“For officer safety, the subject was safely detained and disarmed,” Hemet police said in a news release.
The real officers checked him out and arrested Goodnight on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer and being a felon in possession of a stun gun, baton and tear gas, the release said.
Goodnight could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. A person who answered the phone at Goodnight’s Hemet home declined to comment.
He had not been booked into a Riverside County jail or charged, according to online records.
Goodnight is about 70, said Judith Gibson, a Police Department spokeswoman.
Police say Goodnight was not a licensed security guard. He has a felony conviction in Kentucky that prohibits him from carrying weapons, Gibson said. The type of charge was not available on Tuesday.
Goodnight was convicted of misdemeanor drug possession in 2009 in Riverside County . The next year, he was convicted of misdemeanor charges of brandishing a weapon and shoplifting, while a felony charge of making criminal threats was dismissed, Riverside County Superior Court records show.
Goodnight formerly worked in Chino Hills at Inland Motor Protective Services, which provides motorcycle escorts for funeral and wedding processions and other events, its owner, Mario Estrada, said Tuesday. Goodnight and the company parted ways late in 2024 because of “an incident at a store,” said Estrada, who declined to elaborate.
The separation happened shortly after a company Facebook post in November showed Goodnight directing traffic at an intersection.
“Today, we’re celebrating an incredible member of our team!” the post said. “Marshal, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and the positivity you bring to every shift. We’re grateful to have you with us and hope your day is filled with all the joy and appreciation you deserve.”
The company removed that post on Tuesday afternoon.
Estrada’s traffic escorts do not carry weapons, he said.
Hemet police are attempting to learn whether Goodnight has pulled over any motorists and asked anyone with information on Goodnight to call Sgt. Chavez at 951-765-2400, ext. 3725.
Hemet Police released a photo with Goodnight’s face blurred out — police typically do not release photos showing faces except for suspects in violent crimes, wanted fugitives and missing people. Gibson said that in the Goodnight case, investigators are asking anyone who has been pulled over by someone matching the general description (uniform and motorcycle, not necessarily the same face) to call police.
Anonymous tips may be submitted through the Hemet Police Department’s free mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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