LAPD Central Area In-Custody Death

UPDATED as of March 1, 2025

February25,2011                                                                                               
Los Angeles: LAPD Force Investigation Division is investigating an in-custody death that occurred in Downtown Los Angeles.

On February 24, 2011, at about 8:20 p.m., LAPD Central Area patrol officers, along with a supervisor, responded to a gun assault call at a business in the 600 block of South San Julian.  When the officers arrived, they saw four men who appeared to be struggling with a man.  The four men were employees at the business.  In order to subdue the man, officers used body weight, punches and a TASER numerous times.  The officers also had to use three hobble restraints to control the man.  Two restraints were used to control the suspect’s elbows and one was used to for his legs.   

After subduing the suspect, officers carried the man to a waiting LAFD ambulance nearby.  He was then transported to Los Angeles County Hospital (USCMC) where he was pronounced dead.

The TASER or Electronic Control Device has been used by the Department since the early 1980. Since August 2007, the LAPD has been using the TASER model X-26.  Officers receive four hours of TASER training and over 25 hours of use-of-force training. During the training process employees experience firsthand the effects of the device.  Officers are trained to use the device when a person’s actions could cause serious injury to officers and others.  Officers who were involved in the incident are as follows:
 
NAME                        RANK                   TIME WITH THE DEPT.
Ronald Crump            Sergeant II              14 years, 5 months
Melissa Gonzalez       Police Officer II        6 years, 2 months
Cesar Mendoza          Police Officer II       2 years, 7 months
Raymond Namysl       Police Officer II       4 years, 7 months
Jose Delgado            Police Officer II      4 years, 7 months
Michael Orozco         Police Officer II      3 years, 2 months
Adolfo Pacheco         Police Officer II       4 years, 1 month
Jose Galvez              Police Officer II       4 years, 5 months
Luis Nunez                Police Officer II      3 years, 2 months
Carlos Ocegueda        Police Officer II      8 years, 7 months
 
LAPD Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the incident and are investigating the in-custody death.  The investigation is ongoing and the suspect has not been identified.



Comments

[Johnny Exchange]

Why is it that the TASER can be used on some people, subduing them immediately, while on others it does nothing until they just drop dead? Is it their ability to control the pain with their mind? Do certain drugs make them impervious to the electricity? I believe the TASER is an important piece of equipment for cops and I've been at the 'shot show' in Vegas where people had it done to them... I just don't understand why it is so ineffective on some. Any studies been done?

[Micki]

Why after a 4 day investigation was this man not publicly identified? Better yet, the PD had to have fingerprinted him that night at the hospital, so why did it take authorities a WEEK to notify this man's family that he was dead? Prayers to his mother and brother.

[Jerry Staton]

Hundreds of studies have been done on the TASERs. Most of them trying to determine how safe they are. The answer to Johnny's question is complicated but involves how much of the current produced by the TASER gets into the person and how many muscles are affected. Probe spread and location has a lot to do with it. Drugs play a role, not making them impervious to the current, but to the pain associated with the current. You would need to attend some training to fully understand all the issues.