Los Angeles: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced, today, the names of six California peace officers whom he has awarded California’s Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the state’s highest award for valor. Four of the six officers honored were Los Angeles police officers: Jeffrey Jensen, Paul Waymire, Troy Zeeman, and Bryan Gregson.
"The LAPD is honored that four of its own have been recognized for the state’s highest award," said Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton. "California is fortunate to have so many professional and deserving police officers, who are equally deserving of this honor. Just as the governor has honored these four LAPD officers today, these four officers have honored LAPD and the City of Los Angeles by their service, bravery and willingness to sacrifice."
Police Officers Troy Zeeman, 32, and his partner, Bryan Gregson, 34, were awarded the California Medal of Valor for their capture of an armed gang member on February 17, 2005. The officers were assigned to the Harbor Police Station in San Pedro. They recognized a known, violent gang member, who was wanted in the drive-by shooting death of a woman. The gang member did not give up easily. During a foot chase, he turned on Officer Zeeman, pointed his gun, and said, "You’re dead!" The gang member fired one shot, which missed the officer. Undaunted, the officers returned fire, wounding the armed man, and then arrested him.
Officer Zeeman joined the LAPD in 1995. Officer Gregson followed in 1998. Both officers left the LAPD, joining the Newport Beach Police Department last fall.
Police Officers Paul Waymire, 43, and Jeffrey Jenson, 31, were assigned to the Mission Police Station in the San Fernando Valley. On October 16, 2005, the partners noticed black smoke billowing from a car accident. They stopped to help two good Samaritans, who were trying to put out the fire. Ignoring their own welfare, both officers braved the flames to pull a victim from the inferno, just moments before the car exploded. Their willingness to sacrifice their lives for another person was recognized with by the state’s highest award.
Officer Waymire is a 17-year LAPD veteran, still serving at the Mission Police Station. Officer Jensen recently transferred to the nearby West Valley Police Station. He had been with the LAPD for less than one year when he assisted his training officer in this daring rescue.
These Officers are all Warriors! Officers Zeeman & Gregson left the department because of the HORRIBLE treatment they recieved from the LAPD. They are now being appreciated by the people of Newport Beach as well as the Newport Beach PD.This is the type of Police work that is done by Warriors, not tree hugging pacifists, like the types of Officers Ms. Rice, John Mack and their ilk wish the LAPD to be like! They would rather the suspect get away! Great job guys! And I'm glad your doing well down there!
To all my fellow Warrior cops Stay Safe!
Ed O' Shea
Posted by: Ed O' Shea | November 30, 2024 at 04:27 AM
How did we lose two outstanding veteran Officers to Newport PD.
Mayor Villa needs take a good look on why we lost several Officers to Newport PD and retain the current Officers we have now.
At this attrition rate, Mayor Villa will never accomplish his promise with the People of Los Angeles in increasing the LAPD. Remember what happen to Mayor Riordan when he also promise to increase the LAPD and failed.
Posted by: Centurion | November 30, 2024 at 08:33 AM
Mayor 'Villar' could care less about the LAPD. The cops in this city are pawns for his own selfish needs. The sooner you figure that you, the sooner you'll be at a suburban PD like Newport.
Posted by: MyCousinVinny | November 30, 2024 at 05:35 PM
Warrior Cops...That the type of mentality that needs to be corrected... Warrior is One who is engaged in or experienced in battle. I hope when on patrol as an LAPD Officer your not considering yourself as in battle. I hope you see it more as a LAW ENFORCMENT OFFICER. I once had a run in with a warrior cop and was harassed and made feel less than a human...Then one day I meet great Law enforcement Officers w/ great understanding to people and of course they were still practicing officer safety. This warrior mentality might be needed at times ... I hope all you LEO's don't see yourself as a Warrior Cop...
Posted by: George | December 01, 2024 at 11:51 AM
George,
I guess you haven't been down to South-Central lately. You must be one of those Limousine Liberals that are cloggin the blog.
Check out the definition of warrior on dictionary.com:
"A person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness."
Many of a cop has demonstrated the above defined action. This in effect, makes them a warrior.
If you want to read about one great cop who is a warrior, Google Officer Ripatti's name.
I rest my case.
Posted by: Happy Cop | December 01, 2024 at 04:38 PM
Sorry Vinny, I like being a real cop/Warrior, I love patrolling the City I grew up in, and I'm proud to serve the people of LA.
The Officers of LAPD have never been and will never be anybody's pawn, including the Mayor. Just ask Bernard Parks.
Posted by: Centurion | December 01, 2024 at 05:52 PM
George, you sound like a sheep, Baaa, Baaa, but we, the Officers, are Sheep dogs, like it or not. I don't know what the problem was that you and the officer had? I can tell you that we wear many hats, some more gritty than others. I don't fix my bayonet for someone who is asking me for directions, but I know where my bayonet is if it's not really directions that he's looking for! You might be shocked to hear this but there are bad people in the city who would KILL you or me in the blink of an eye, if given the chance! Officers have been shot and killed just sitting in their cars, because some degenerate gangster wanted to kill an Officer! When I am chasing a gang member who has a gun, I am not going to put on my social worker hat, but fix my bayonet and have my mind ready for battle! If the suspect goes with the program he or she does not get hurt. If they attempt to use physical or deadly force against me, my fellow Officers or you George, I WILL meet his violence with OVERWHELMING VIOLENCE! I will scare the ever-loving-bajesus out of them and if he or she dictates the use of deadly force I will be going home at the end of my shift and he will be laying on a cold slab! As one of my Marine Generals used to say, Hit hard, Hit Quick and keep on hitting! In the civilian world, as a Law Enforcement Officer I will do that until the suspect complies or is incapacitated and his deadly actions are stopped! And sorry we don't use boxing gloves to do it, pain is the only thing some people understand! When your chasing the type of person that would, STOP, Point a gun at a Police Officer, say "YOUR DEAD" AND SHOOT, you need to have your Warrior hat on! If you don't you die!
So, Yes we are Warriors, and if you were a Police Officer in South Central Los Angeles, or anywhere for that matter, you would need to be a Warrior too. We are not preparing for a power point presentation in our job, we are preparing for helping people out, Law Enforcement or Battle! And there are more battles fought in LA every day than you hear about! The people in South central that are law abiding deserve to have Warriors down here willing to do violence, when needed, to protect them. You wouldn't know why unless you lived down here, which you clearly do not!
To all my fellow WARRIOR cops, Stay Safe!
Ed O'Shea
Posted by: Ed O'Shea | December 02, 2024 at 09:59 AM
I seem to recall Zeeman was cruicfied by the department for chasing an armed suspect. Now they applaud his courage by releasing this press release. It's no wonder we can't recruit new police officers. The department will second guess every move you make and burn you any chance they get. This guy is a hero and we lost him because our department is so overcritical. Im proud to be a warrior cop, but O'Shea, you and me are on the hit list and soon to be on the endangered species list.
Posted by: JBuck | December 03, 2024 at 03:33 PM
You can put me on the list. I'm proud to be a warrior cop. They need to put PIGS on the endandered species list. SOMEBODY SAVE US!!!
Posted by: Harry | December 04, 2024 at 07:41 PM
And the Chief should be ashamed of loosing good officers to Newport PD. Why can't this Dept keep its officers? The brass just don't get it. Treat your officers fairly. Treat them with respect. When they do the right thing they must stand up and say so!! Why is that sooo hard? The so called leaders on this department forget that it is the line copper that is fighting the crime on the streets 24 hours a day. We are the ones that make them look good when they go stand in front of the man in the Chiefs meetings. We bring the crime down in the divisions and they take all the credit. Wake up! If you don't treat your people right we will leave! Then you can un-chair your back side and jump in a black and white, and police the streets your self. You want us to do the hard dirty work but can't give your officers fair and just treatment. If you the so called leaders can't do it then our numbers will continue to drop and other departments will gain great cops and the crime in their cities will drop.
GOOD FOR THEM,
BAD FOR US.
Posted by: Harry | December 04, 2024 at 08:00 PM
How can LAPD retain officers when the Police union push through one of the worst contracts ever! LAPD should be in the top three paid departments in the State if not the country and they are not even close. The Police Leauge like every other Union loves Dems and gave into them. Until LAPD has the best benefits of any department in California, they will never retain officers and the flood gates will be open for good officers to leave to places like Newport Beach.
Posted by: K | December 05, 2024 at 01:35 PM
Ed,
Yes we know L.A. is a tough city with lots of gang problems. But all we ask is that you remember not everybody you stop is a gang member trying to shoot you. If you treat me with respect we will treat you with respect. And I am not a liberal expecting you to use kid gloves when a suspect is fighting or fleing from you. If I was in an altercation with a gang banger I would meet force with a hell of a lot more force, we do understand this, we want you to go home safe at the end of your shift.
Posted by: castillo | December 05, 2024 at 03:48 PM
Thanks Ed Oshea I underdtand...Thanks for taking the time to write back...
Be safe Warrior cops
Posted by: George | December 06, 2024 at 09:08 AM
To all LAPD cops/warriors,
Thanks for your support and understanding. I want to let you know that the best friends and cops in the world are there fighting eveyday for the good and bad citizens of LA.
You all do a great job with little or no recognition. I will always be there if you ever need me, just call.
For the other people that might not be able to comprehend the danger those cops (warriors) face everyday, I'm sorry. You should look at it differently. Why blame the officers fighting for your freedom and peace, when you can blame the "bad guys" for doing the crimes. Officers only are taught to react to others actions and make a decision at a blink of an eye, which may or may not be life threating.
Thanks again
Posted by: Zeeman | December 15, 2024 at 07:40 PM