Billboards Honor Slain Officer

CNS - The first of 20 billboards honoring slain Los Angeles police SWAT Officer Randy Simmons went up near Inglewood July 16. The officer’s family wanted to express its gratitude for the support it has received since Simmons was fatally shot Feb. 7 by a disturbed young man in who had killed his father and two brothers in Winnetka.

Simmons became the first officer with the LAPD’s Special Weapons And Tactics team to die in the line of duty. Former Chief Darryl Gates created the first such police unit in the country in 1967, then working as a detective under former Chief Ed Davis.

“Our family wanted to find a visible way to express our sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love, support and prayers that we have received from everyone around the world. The cards, flowers and words of condolences are too numerous to count,” said Simmons’ wife, Lisa.

The first billboard went up in Los Angeles on Florence Avenue just west of Fifth Avenue. The billboards are being posted for free by Clear Channel Outdoor. Simmons spent 27 years with the LAPD. In addition to his wife, Simmons is survived by two children, his parents and two sisters.

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