Los Angeles: On Thursday, September 15, 2011, the LAPD honored 82 Los Angeles Police Officers during the inaugural Purple Heart Ceremony which took place at the JW Marriot at LA LIVE. The Purple Heart ceremony focused on 72 incidents which dated back to 1921. The officers who received the Purple Heart are current and former Los Angeles Police Officers, who while in the line of duty, sustained a traumatic injury, were mortally wounded or eventually succumbed to their injurie
During the ceremony Chief Charlie Beck welcomed the audience on behalf of the men and women of the Department, “Behind each award presented today there is a story of selflessness and sacrifice, and behind each story, an officer who made the remarkable choice to put themselves in harm’s way to protect their partner, their neighbor, their City,” he stated.
Honored at the ceremony was Officer Tina Kerbrat who was killed on February 11, 1991, four months after graduating from the Police Academy while she and her training officer stopped to question two men for drinking in public. Officer Kerbrat was the Department’s first female officer killed in the line of duty. Her son Craig Kerbrat received the Purple Heart medal on her behalf.
A highlight of the ceremony was when Chief Beck presented the Purple Heart medal 
to brothers Brandon and Landon Dorris Jr., whose father Officer Landon Dorris was killed on October 22, 2006, while he and his partner were investigating a minor traffic collision. Officer Dorris was struck by a vehicle, and was transported to a hospital but did not survive his injuries. The brother’s received a standing ovation by the audience while receiving the medal on behalf of their father.
The Purple Heart Ceremony was hosted by the Los Angeles Police Foundation. Founded in 1998, the Foundation has been the major source of private financial support for the LAPD by creating partnerships that offer resources not provided in the city budget.
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