Crime-War Memorial Unveiled at Station

On the second anniversary of LAPD Officer Brian Brown’s death, he and other officers killed in the line of duty were remembered Wednesday night in a somber ceremony at the department’s Pacific Station.

The Pacific Memorial Park, a small landscaped area in the station’s parking lot, was dedicated. At its center are stones engraved with the names of four Pacific officers killed over the last 40 years, including Brown, who died in a gang shooting.

More than 100 people huddled, staving off the night’s chill as they held candles. They gathered around a tiny park dotted with freshly planted rosemary, which is symbolic of remembrance. Among several speakers was an officer whose father died in 1949, the first Pacific Station officer killed in the line of duty.

Preparations for the ceremony became particularly poignant last week after the wounding of another Pacific officer in a shooting at Marina del Rey, memorial organizers said. That officer and a U.S. marshal, who also was wounded, are expected to recover.

“The first time you hear the words ‘officer down’ is something you never forget,” said Sgt. Craig Herron, who keeps in touch with Brown’s 9-year-old son. “The first time I heard it was 11 years ago, and when it’s somebody you know, it stays with you forever.”

As the anniversary of Brown’s death approached this year, a community member suggested that something special mark the date.

Capt. Gary Williams began floating ideas, and about a month ago, the station decided to turn what had been a weedy patch into a manicured park, with flowers and the memorial markers.

Brown, 27, a single father, was on night patrol when he and his partner chased two men fleeing a murder scene. A gang member opened fire, wounding Brown in the head. Later, community members of the coastal neighborhoods served by Pacific donated toys and helped officers organize a concert to raise money for his son.

The possibility of death is an accepted part of the job, said Sgt. Greg Glodery, who was instrumental in organizing the dedication. He likened the shooting of a co-worker to finding out that “your brother, father or sister is in the hospital and not knowing their condition until you get there.”

The Marina del Ray incident slapped the station with a reminder when Senior Lead Officer Gerry Smedley was shot in the leg. Joseph Macio Allain, a reputed gang member, opened fire on officers who were responding to a call that a marshal had been shot.

Marshals had gone to arrest Allain after he violated terms of his bail in Tennessee. A 12-hour standoff ensued. Allain was found dead, after killing himself.

“I was awfully happy Smedley’s injuries weren’t worse,” Glodery said. “We could be talking about Smedley instead of Brian Brown and others.”

Smedley, who could not attend the ceremony because of his injury, said Brown is “gone but he’s not forgotten.”