LAPD Grieving

Los Angeles: As the investigations into the unrelated traffic deaths of two Los Angeles Police Department officers continue, LA Police Chief William Bratton mourns not only their loss, but the loss of his mother as well.

This morning, June 30, 2007, Department personnel learned of Chief Bratton's loss through a statement released by Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger.  Chief Bratton learned of the passing of his mother early Sunday morning, followed within hours by the deaths of Detective Selleh and Officer Rodriguez. 

"It is with profound regret that I share with you the unfortunate news that the mother of our Chief of Police, Mrs. June Bratton, passed away early yesterday morning, after an extended illness.  Even while leading the Department during its time of grief with the tragic losses of Mission Area Detective George Selleh and North Hollywood GED Officer David Rodriguez in separate, off-duty traffic collisions, Chief Bratton dealt quietly with his own loss - that of his beloved mother.

A resident of Boston, she leaves as her legacy, not only Chief Bratton and his wife Rikki to mourn her passing, but also her husband with whom she shared her life for over six decades. Another daughter and two grandsons and scores of family and friends also mourn the loss of June Bratton."

Join me in whispering a prayer that He will grant all of them favor and peace...."

Any questions can be directed to Media Relations at 213-485-3586.

Comments

[Ed O'Shea]

These two Officers should be posthumously promoted to the next rank, and this should become common practice with all LAPD Officers killed! See the below article for an account of what NYPD does. And for all the naysayers, save your BS about these two Officers not being on duty at the time of thier deaths. They have done more than enough for this city to warrant the minor upgrade in pay to thier loved ones. This is the very least we can do.

Stay Safe Brothers and Sisters!

Ed O'Shea

NYPD Officer Promoted after Deadly Shooting
Posted: July 30th, 2007 09:57 AM EDT

Associated Press WorldStream
via NewsEdge Corporation

NEW YORK_A police officer who was shot during a traffic stop in Brooklyn was promoted to detective on Friday for his attempt to save his mortally-wounded partner.

After Officer Russel Timoshenko was shot, Officer Herman Yan stood his ground and exchanged gunfire with their assailants. Then, he quickly radioed in a description of the gunmen's car, even though he had been hit himself.

For five days, Belarus-born Timoshenko "fought valiantly for his life," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a ceremony at police headquarters. "He had his chance in part thanks to the extraordinary actions of his partner, Police Officer Herman Yan."

Kelly told the parents of Timoshenko, who attended the ceremony, that their son's "devotion to duty, his strength and his resolve will never be forgotten by this police department."

Timoshenko, 23, was posthumously promoted last week to detective.

"I thought he was going to be an excellent cop," Yan told reporters when asked about his partner. "I thought he was going to be better than me."

Authorities say Dexter Bostic and Robert Ellis, both 34-year-old ex-convicts, were riding in a stolen sport utility vehicle driven by Lee Woods, 29, early on July 9 when it was pulled over by police in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.

As they approached the SUV, Timoshenko was shot in the face with a .45-caliber pistol and Yan was shot with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

"When Officer Yan heard the explosion of gunfire and saw his partner fall to the ground, he did not hesitate," Kelly said. "He immediately assumed the combat position and returned fire."

Timoshenko died July 14. Yan, 26, was hit in the chest but was saved by his bullet-resistant vest.

Pennsylvania state troopers captured Ellis and Bostic while they tried to hide in the Pocono Mountains, ending an intense manhunt that spanned three days and several states.

All three men were indicted last week on first-degree murder charges. If convicted, they face life in prison without parole.

Defense attorneys have made competing claims that their clients were driving while the other men opened fire. Police said fingerprints belonging to all three men were found on the vehicle; three guns were found in a bag nearby.

[Donna Roller]

It does suck they were tragially killed in an MVA. Promoted because they died off-duty? Why not go back and promote and increase benefits to the past members that have died over the last decade?

[Loves LA LEOs]

Ed is right. It is not the manner of death; it is the value and sacredness of the life of the law enforcement officer that matters. Anyway, you are all on sworn duty 24 hours a day, so in my mind, any LE death is job related. It's not like you flip a switch at the end of the shift and become free of your responsibility. Off the soapbox now, I would just like to offer all of you my heartfelt condolences at the enormous loss you have experienced this week. Please take time to be kind to yourselves and each other as you grieve these latest losses. Please know there are many of us out here loving you and praying for you and your families. We appreciate everything you do for us. Please stay safe, in that quiet place in your very center, as much as possible, until it becomes a permanent state of being. I love you all very much. Yr friend,