On Thursday 08th February, LAPD Officer Randal Simmons was killed in the line of duty. He was a member of a SWAT unit and was responding to an occurrence where a mentally disturbed man had already killed three of his family members. Another officer James Veenstra was also critically wounded. The gunman was eventually killed by other officers.
Officer Simmons, who was 51 years old, is survived by his wife, two teenage children, parents and three sisters. He was also an ordained minister and led the children’s outreach services at his church. This ministry served about 1500 children every weekend in poor L.A. neighbourhoods with food, toys, gospel CDs, bible lessons, puppet shows and games.
We usually hear (and highlight) the negative things the police are involved with as it relates to our community. Lets not forget those who are positive role models and heroes in life… as well as in death. Say a prayer for his family and colleagues… and also the family of the gunman, Edwin Rivera.
February 11, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Great post Asa, and great point. We should be as quick to highlight and reinforce the positive behaviors from police officers in our community. All the more so, if they are fewer and farther between occurrences.
March 30, 2008 at 8:45 am
This post made my heart sad. God bless this man for giving his life to serving and protecting the least of us. And God bless and comfort his family. May God fulfill their needs emotionally and financially now that their father and husband is gone. And God bless the congregation of children who looked to this man for spiritual encouragement and insgtruction.
Bless you, Asa.
Angie B.