Off Duty LAPD Officer Dies in a Tragic Accident NR10580cj

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is mourning the death of Emergency Operation Divisions Officer Kent Carter, who died in a tragic traffic collision in Santa Ana.

On Dec. 12, 2010, at around 4:30 p.m., Carter was riding his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle, northbound on Santiago Canyon Road, south of Jeffrey Road when his bike veered onto the opposite lane into oncoming traffic.  He collided with another motorcyclist, riding a 1999 Honda, who was traveling southbound on Santiago Canyon Road.  The Honda motorcycle came to rest in the northbound lane.  Immediately following the first collision, Carter was struck a second time by a man riding a 2007 Honda motorcycle, traveling southbound on Santiago Road, along with a female passenger.  The man and his passenger were ejected from their motorcycle and came to rest on the southbound lane of Santiago Canyon Road.  Carter’s bike came to rest on the right shoulder.

Medical personnel responded to the scene and treated the driver of the 2007 Honda and his female passenger for serious injuries.  They were transported to a local hospital.  Carter and the driver of the 1999 Honda were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

Officer Kent Carter worked for the LAPD for over 29 years and his work ethic is legendary.  He was hired by the Department on February 23, 1981.  The first decade of his career was spent working patrol in Divisions including Wilshire, Rampart, 77th, and time working as a vice officer.  Carter’s hard work earned him a position at Training Division where he trained thousands of officers.  His method of instruction was legendary and to this day held in high regard from those who learned from him.

In 1998, Carter was assigned to LAPD’s Labor Relations Division, now under Emergency Operations Division and had been working there ever since.  He was a veteran labor relations officer who was responsible for Building and Trades and also worked with numerous unions across the city. Lieutenant Andrew Neiman of Emergency Operations Division explains, “Kent was the most gracious, warm, and considerate individual I have ever met.  He loved his family, loved life, and was looking forward to a wonderful retirement in a year.  His passing will create a huge void in the Department.”

Officer Kent Carter is survived by his wife Sharon, his 27-year-old son Preston, 25-year-old daughter Courtney, and his brother Darryl Carter who is a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff.