Veteran Gardena officer becomes highest-ranking Korean-American in South Bay cities
The Gardena Police Department has promoted Lt. Thomas Kang to captain, making him the highest ranking Korean-American in the South Bay city departments.
Kang, who was the first Korean-American officer hired in Gardena 20 years ago, will be promoted during a ceremony Thursday.
Kang began his career with the department as a police explorer and a cadet when he was 14. He was 21 when he was hired as an officer.
Kang has worked in a variety of details, including as a canine officer. He developed the nationally recogized program, "Urban Tactical Training" for canine officers.
Kang was the department's "Officer of the Year" in 2000, and was awared a Distinguished Service Award at the 2002 South Bay Medal of Valor luncheon for running into a gas-filled home with three fellow officers to rescue four children.
Their father was attempting to kill himself.
In addition to Kang's appointment, Detective Mark Thompson will be elevated to sergeant. He is one of three officers on the force who are Gardena natives.
1 Comments
Leave a comment
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
|
Way to go Tom! Belated congrats from you Pal "F".