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by Gigi_Graciette from Los Angeles

Last Post 188 days, 23 hours Ago


SWAT Shooting
Feb 7, 2008 | 3:08 PM
Category: News
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This morning LAPD SWAT Officer Randy Simmons, 51 was shot to death in Winnetka during a standoff with a suspect who had already killed three other men.

 
Officer Randy Simmons

Meanwhile his fellow LAPD officer, James Veenstra was severely injured -- receiving a bullet to the face which blew most of his jaw off.


Officer James Veenstra

It is truly a tragedy anytime an officer loses his life or is injured in the line of duty.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Simmons family today. 

And our prayers will be with the Veenstra family --- in hopes of a full recovery.

Last night, on my way home from my story, a SWAT team member raced by me, lights and siren, most likely on his way to this standoff since it was nearby. I cannot help but wonder if it was Officer Simmons or Veenstra....rushing to help in what was a critical situation in a residential neighborhood.

For Simmons, it would be what some departments call his "End of Watch" -- for Veenstra, the beginning of a long and painful recovery.

God Bless them both.

I am leaving to the scene now and will have more for you later.
7 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 7
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mystere read my blog view my photos
Feb 7, 2008 | 4:31 PM

Gigi,

That has to be one of the hardest stories you have to cover along with Bob DeCastro and Rick Dickert. I feel for both families; I can visually see the anguish in the family members' faces of both officers' families. I happen to have some police officer friends serving the cities of Los Angeles, and Fullerton. I hope I never hear their names called out in the news as being shot in the line of duty. You take care now, and stay safe!

"Mr. E" from Cypress.
santiagoavila123
Feb 7, 2008 | 7:00 PM

God bless LAPD-SWAT, and the family of both officers, Simmons and Veenstra. :)
-Santiago Avila
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Feb 7, 2008 | 10:07 PM

One of the many reasons why I admire law enforcement officers, just like the brave men and women in our armed forces, they rush to help complete strangers risking their own lives to safe the life of someone they don’t even know. True American Heroes.

My condolences to the Simmons & Veenstra families.
craftyguy read my blog
Feb 8, 2008 | 2:05 AM

in the jungles we call L.A. these men and women do the jobs nobody else would have the guts to do..in return they are called pigs Nazis and stormtroopers by ignorant people who hate them unless they need them ..nobody seems to look at them as just human beings unless they are personally involved with them then it hits home ..my heart goes out to any who loses a loved one ..that's a pain nobody should live with ..ask any mother or father of a fallen soldier or a parent of a victim of violent crime..life is GODS greatest gift ..it should never be cut short
scooch read my blog view my photos
Feb 8, 2008 | 4:43 PM

All comments are are right. Very sad day and it will be for a while. Prayers and thoughts to all. So sad one man died and another will be having to go through so mamy surgeries for a long time. The Police Dept will be there as they always are for the Families. I am so sad by the News the last few days. It isn't even safe for trained and intelligent people with as much protection as they can get.
Jadinc read my blog
Feb 10, 2008 | 2:19 AM

We are honored to have been a friend and comrade of Randy Simmons. We developed a bond that will last an eternity. We played football together at Fairfax High School. We lifted weights, ran track and celebrated life to the fullest. The bond that developed was so strong that it would seem like yesterday whenever we saw each other. He had a nick name, We all did. It is sad that a man good to the core, back then and now, gave his life that truly reflected his character, “A Hero”. We will truly miss Randy. John Dunning, Bobby Mallard, Dexter Tisby, Big Tatum, Richard Calloway, Willard Bickham, Pete Mallard, David Woolridge, Jimmy, Greg Morrow, Franky Gladdin, Coach Reisboard, Coach Delasandro and the rest of the team mates. Class of 1974. Please call us. Coordinators. Bobby Mallard and John Dunning 323-934 6064
reformed1
Feb 15, 2008 | 10:36 PM

It is great to know he did not die in vain! Though tough to understand, God is always working in ways that far exceed our human understanding! His mother said it best. She said that Randy's death is difficult to understand, but she would not question God. He died a servant of God and that is what the Bible says often times will happen to His saints! There is a passage that says "Precious to the LORD are the death of His godly ones." Psalm 116, What is left behind is the great testimony of Randy Simmons and his family to thrust ahead as the legacy of a great public servant. More on his testimony at biblicalthought.com
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Gigi_Graciette

Gigi Graciette can be seen nightly on the Channel 13 and FOX 11 Newscasts. She is also the host of "Ella Es…Gigi Graciette", a nationally syndicated radio show – a three-hour program heard daily. Raised by her Portuguese mother and grandmother, Gigi loves to travel – she’s already visited 23 countries – and in addition to having lived in Mexico City, has spent a lot of time in Portugal, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Haiti and England. Gigi Graciette is fluent in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Member Since: 7/4/2006


 

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