The heroic death of Los Angeles Police Officer Randy Simmons on February 7, 2008 was an emotional and poignant event for all members of the Department. More recently, we saw our brothers and sisters in the Los Angeles Fire Department lose firefighter Brent Lovrien in the line of duty. Protecting and serving the public is not done without risk. When the worst happens, and the ultimate sacrifice is made, we face the unique pain that accompanies a loss of this nature. A colleague fallen and a family losing a loved one is always a potential reality of our profession, and one that we all hope to never experience.
Each May during National Police Officer Memorial Month, we remember all those we have lost and celebrate their lives. In particular, this May, we will remember and honor an officer cut down in his prime, in the line of duty. Even the word “Hero” cannot begin to capture the remarkable man that Officer Simmons was. He was an example of the best and most committed of our profession. But despite his remarkable accomplishments as a Police Officer, he will be remembered even more for his life as a husband, father, and community leader. For his contributions, his professionalism, and his greatness, Randy Simmons deserves his rightful place in LAPD history, so we are beginning the process of renaming the current Rampart Area station in his honor. The station will become home to the Department’s Metropolitan Division when the newly built Rampart Area station is opened this summer. It is more than appropriate that the home of Metro and SWAT bear his name. Randy used his mind, body and spirit for the pursuit of great things and is an example to live by for all of us. Even in death, he does great things: witness the rare unification of the entire city in the days after his loss. His funeral was one for the record books but, then again, so was he.
In the course of the past year we have lost many other sworn and civilian employees from our ranks. This month, please remember these individuals, their families, and all of their years of dedication to the LAPD.
Senior Clerk Typist Dreta Nolan
Police Officer II Carl Williams
Police Officer II+6 Wayne Oatis
Police Officer II John Kostyo
Police Officer I Marcos Granillo
Reserve Officer Ken Lewis
Commander James Tatreau
Sergeant I Melissa Munson
Senior Detention Officer Celestino Dimaculangan
Reserve Officer Lloyde Nelson
Police Officer II David Rodriguez
Detective III Mike Selleh
Police Officer III Robert Cantrell
Police Officer II Moni Ouahdi
Reserve Officer Thomas Davis
Police Officer III+1 Jose Flores
Clerk Typist Tina Murillo
Detective I Melissa Mora
Also gone from the LAPD family are these retired employees who died in the past year.
Commander Homer F. Broome, Jr.
Captain III William C. Swihart
Detective II Lawrence T. Willis
Captain Tom Sena
Police Officer III Reggie L. Dickenson
Sergeant I James H. Matlock
Police Sergeant I + II Herbert C. Meredith
Policeman Robert L. Peterson
Captain II Kenneth J. Green
Investigator I Stanley W. Preston
Sergeant I Robert Caples
Detective II Robert L. Rimmer
Detective III William A. Welch
Sergeant I Ruben B. Whittington
Sergeant II Robert Ontiveros
Clerk Typist Emma L. Pickens
Detective III Carlyle Ingels
Police Officer II Robert W. Winget
Storekeeper II/Policeman Lloyd Rainey
Policewoman II Jeane Braun
Police Officer III Arthur Johnson
Captain I Robert Walter
Detective III Douglas Dreyer
Sergeant I William I. Morton
Detective III John W. Helvin
Police Investigator II Marvin L. Cooper
Policeman II Richard L. Gingras
Policeman II Thomas J. Brown
Detective II James C. Soles
Sergeant I Max N. McAlpine
Policeman Morris Candlish
Sergeant I William J. Wimberley
Policeman II William H. Bell
Detective II Norm Bonneau
Investigator II Dominick R. Dascenzi
This May, we have a number of events planned to honor our departed colleagues and surrogate family members. Perhaps the biggest, and most moving tribute is the Annual Memorial Ceremony. This year the ceremony will take place on Monday, May 5 at 1000am on the Elysian Park Field. The ceremony will feature a segment devoted to Officer Simmons and his family, who will be present. The 100-year anniversary of the death of Captain Walter Auble will also be observed. There will be the reading of the names of all those lost in the line of duty over the years. With Officer Simmons’ name now added to the list, it has grown to a total of 201. Over 175 family members of these departed 201 sworn officers have been invited, and each sworn and civilian member of the Department is invited to attend. If you can, please come to this inspirational event and show your support and reverence for these brave souls who have gone before us.
The Annual LAPD Police Family Fun Day and Celebrity Golf Tournament is a Department favorite. This year, their 37th, the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation is doing it again: combining the friendly competition of golf, LAPD displays and demonstrations, great food and drinks, a family-friendly environment, sworn officers, community leaders, corporate sponsors and celebrities all in one place in the name of fun and remembrance. Last year, Jack Nicholson made an appearance on the links, to the delight of the thousands of spectators who turned out. This year, the celebrity host will be Neal McDonough, of Band of Brothers and Flags of Our Fathers fame. The golf tournament will take place on Saturday, May 17 at Rancho Park Golf Course. Tickets are just $5.00 and kids under 12 get in free. Tee off is at 10a.m. Please come for a day of family fun that also raises money for the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation. More information can be found at the Memorial Foundation’s website at www.lapmf.org.
Another memorial event that offers a friendly competitive edge is the 30th Annual Memorial Relay Race. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Elysian Park Field. There will be a 1-mile fun run, a platoon run, 5K and 25K runs, and even a memorial ceremony, all to be followed by award presentations. The day begins at 0815 hours. Interested participants or attendees should contact the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club’s Athletic Department at 323-221-5222 and ask for extension 219.
Statewide, the California Peace Officers’ Memorial has their 32nd annual event planned over two days, May 8 and 9, in Sacramento. Included will be a candlelight vigil, a caravan, and a number of ceremonies in honor of officers lost from agencies throughout the state of California. Details can be found at their website, www.camemorial.org.
National Police Week is May 11-17 and the nation’s capitol will host several events. The Los Angeles Police Department will be present, thanks to the Police Unity Tour. More than 20 of our sworn officers will ride their bicycles 300 miles from Portsmouth, Virginia to Washington, D.C. on the “Ride For Those Who Have Died.” Upon their arrival, Monday, May 12, they will participate in a welcome ceremony in which the tour’s regional chapter presidents will each present checks to the National Law Enforment Memorial Fund from the money they have raised, followed by a candlelight vigil that evening. On National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, Thursday, May 15, the tour members will attend the 27th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day Services at the west front of the United States Capitol, followed by a wreath laying ceremony in the afternoon. For information on these events, and the others planned for that week in Washington, please check the memorial fund’s website at www.nleomf.com. If you are interested in participating in the ride, please contact Officer Sandra Gonzales in Public Communications Section at 213-485-3281.
Remembering fallen colleagues should not be limited to a few special annual events. Although Police Memorial Month offers us formal opportunities to remember the ones who have paid the ultimate price, it is up to each of us to remember these individuals throughout the year. So, please come to the events that will commemorate those honorable souls, but also keep their memories alive in your hearts and in your thoughts. Say their names and tell their stories. Let their deaths inspire each of us to keep fighting the good fight, and protecting and serving with dignity and respect, in their honor. Above all else, please be safe out there in the course of your duties. There are too few of us to begin with. You are irreplaceable and the Department, the city, your families and loved ones need you.
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