Slain LAPD officer mourned
A viewing was held this morning for Los Angeles SWAT officer Randal Simmons, who was killed in a standoff in Winnetka last week.
Our sister paper, the Los Angeles Daily News, reports that hundreds turned out for the ceremony, held in Carson.
In making some calls to local departments this morning, it looks like a few officers from the Valley also attended to show their support of the “law enforcement family.”
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love...It is in loving, not in being loved, the heart is blessed: It is in giving, not in seeking gifts, we find our quest: Whatever be your longing or your need, that give; So shall your soul be fed, and you indeed shall live.
Last year was the deadliest year in the last 20 for officer deaths in the United States. This year is starting off just as bad. There was a 53% rise in officers shot to death alone last year.
Officer Simmons was a heroic officer and more than that, an outstanding person in all areas of his life.
After this tragedy took place last week I was watching a news story related to his murder. They interviewed an LAPD officer that I hadn't seen in years. His name is Jim Hart.
Hart and Simmons were very close friends and the pain etched on Jim's face was evident. Jim started with the Monrovia Police department in the mid 1980's. He was raised in Los Angeles and moved to LAPD because that was his dream from day one. LAPD's gain was Monrovia's loss.
Jim was a great guy and has all the attributes Simmons had. It's easy to see why they were friends. Jim was also the strongest police officer I have ever known, and one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.
RIP Officer Simmons.
Local Boy