23 Officers to be Presented with the LAPD’s Highest Honors, the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart Awards NA23104ti/lg

The Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony.

During the formal program, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore will present the Department’s highest honors to 23 officers who knowingly, and willingly placed themselves in grave danger.  Actor and comedian Joel McHale will emcee the event and narrate the stories of heroism that accompany the officers’ body-worn, and in-car videos.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

• 11:30 a.m. Program

• 12:15 p.m. Luncheon

• 12:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony

Westin Bonaventure Hotel – California Ballroom

404 S. Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, California 90071

Chief of Police Michel Moore, Los Angeles Police Department

Actor and Comedian Joel McHale

To recognize real-life events that exemplify stories of bravery, heroism and sacrifice. During the awards presentation, the audience will view and listen to body-worn, and in-car videos revealing some of the split-second, and life altering decisions officers are faced with when serving the community.  Some of the larger-than-life situations include:

• On May 15, 1920 a University Division Officer (now Southwest Division) was the passenger officer in a Police Ambulance when his vehicle became involved in a traffic collision.  The officer sustained a severe laceration to his right upper thigh and suffered internal injuries.  He was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries six days later.

• On the evening of June 25, 2003, Northeast Homicide Detectives were returning from relocating a witness who had testified in a gang murder case.  Their police vehicle was struck head-on by a vehicle illegally passing another vehicle on the road.  One detective was killed instantly, and the other detective was gravely injured.

• On June 7, 2020, the Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team responded to a call for an Assault with a Deadly Weapon Suspect.  The suspect had barricaded himself inside his apartment, and later exited his apartment and shot at a SWAT officer with a crossbow.  The officer sustained a severe laceration to his thumb and was immediately transported to the hospital where his thumb was surgically reattached.

• On March 8, 2023, Department Metropolitan K-9 officers responded to a request by Hollenbeck Area detectives searching for a parolee-at-large and active Highland Park gang member.  During the search of the suspect, three K-9 officers were shot and transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

• On September 14, 1965, a Policeman from Highland Park Division (now Northeast Area) was on patrol when he was flagged down by a citizen who stated his neighbor’s home was being burglarized.  The policeman responded to the home and confronted the suspect who produced a hammer, violently swinging it at the policeman, striking him in the face. The policeman shot the suspect and the suspect was subsequently taken into custody.

• In the early morning hours of October 29, 1973, Devonshire patrol officers responded to a residence for a man with a gun call.  Officers entered the home and were met with a suspect armed with a shotgun.  The suspect shot at the officers striking two of them in the head, face and arms.  Officers returned fire striking the suspect in the head.  The suspect was taken into custody and officers were treated for their gunshot wounds and returned to work a few days later.

• On April 2, 2008, Operations-South Bureau Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) officers were conducting an operation to apprehend a wanted suspect who had made criminal threats against police officers.  Officers observed and identified the suspect driving through an alleyway in Harbor Area.  Gang Enforcement Detail officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the suspect refused, resulting in a pursuit.  A collision occurred between the suspect and the officers.  The suspect immediately exited his vehicle with a handgun and shot at officers, striking one officer in the chest. A Harbor Area Vice officer responded to the shooting, observed the shooting and intentionally struck the suspect with his vehicle, disarming the gun from the suspect.  The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

• On June 19, 2022, Foothill Area officers responded to a Man with a Gun call.  Numerous radio calls were received indicating the suspect was pointing a gun at passing vehicles.  Officers responded to the location and observed the suspect walking and making movements to his waistband.  Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, but the suspect raised a gun towards officers and began firing.  Officers returned fire striking the suspect.  It was later determined the suspect’s weapon was an untraceable semiautomatic pistol, also known as a ghost gun.

ADDITIONAL: The Above & Beyond Ceremony is hosted by the Los Angeles Police Foundation (LAPF), an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides critical resources and vital support to the Los Angeles Police Department.  The Foundation provides funding for essential equipment, state-of-the-art technology and upgrades, specialized training, community outreach and youth programs that would otherwise not be funded.  The Foundation directly improves public safety, impacts officer readiness, and enhances quality of life.  Since its founding in 1998, the LAPF has awarded more than $50 million in grants to help the LAPD serve at its highest level to keep our communities and families safe.

The 2023 Above and Beyond Awards Ceremony is presented by Galls.

Medal of Valor and Purple Heart Award recipients will be available for interviews on Thursday, September 21, 2023.  On the day of the event, please meet with LAPD Media Relations Division Public Information Officers at the media riser.

For more information, please contact Police Officer Nguyet Amancio, Office of the Chief of Staff, at (213) 486-7032.  For additional information regarding the Los Angeles Police Foundation, please call Dana Katz, LAPF Executive Director at (213) 489-4636, or visit: www.supportLAPD.org.