Mourning the Loss of Two El Monte PD Officers Killed in Ambush
|
Hearts have been very heavy for the Southern California law enforcement community following the deaths of two El Monte Police Department officers on Tuesday. Corporal Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana were ambushed and shot while responding to a reported stabbing at a motel. The suspect, a known gang member on probation, was subsequently shot and killed by additional responding officers at the motel.
Corporal Paredes was a 22-year department veteran who started his career as a cadet with El Monte PD. The 42-year old is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.
Officer Santana was a 5-year law enforcement veteran who transferred to El Monte PD after beginning his career with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. He was 31 years old and leaves behind his wife, a 9-year old daughter and 2-year olds twin boys.
We ask that you keep both families and all of our brothers and sisters with El Monte PD in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
|
|
Tragic, Deadly Escalation in Assaults on Law Enforcement |
|
Tragically, the line-of-duty deaths of the two El Monte officers this week represented an alarming increase in cowardly assaults on law enforcement in Los Angeles County. Less than 24 hours prior to the deadly ambush on the those officers, a CHP officer was shot multiple times during a traffic stop in Studio City. That officer was hospitalized in serious condition but is expected to recover. In addition to these shootings, PPOA learned that no less than eight staff members in LASD Custody Division were assaulted by inmates in a 24-hour period ending yesterday, including an unprovoked attack on a Security Officer member at the Inmate Reception Center (IRC).
On June 15, the LASD Security Officer was monitoring activity in the IRC Public Lobby when the suspect lunged (unprovoked) at him, striking the Security Officer on the right side of the head with a knife causing two lacerations. The suspect then walked down the lobby stairs and exited onto the Bauchet Street sidewalk. The Security Officer immediately transmitted radio traffic requesting assistance and followed the suspect keeping a safe distance until backup responded.
Deputies from Twin Towers and IRC responded and the suspect was arrested without further incident. The Security Officer sustained two lacerations to the right side of his head and bruising. He was treated, released, and is recovering.
As many PPOA members know, a string of attacks on public safety personnel is rarely a coincidence. PLEASE be extra vigilant right now. Returning home to your loved ones after each shift is your number one priority.
|
|
Sergeant Supervisory School |
|
June 13: PPOA representatives met with 34 new Sergeants during their first day of Supervisory School at Biscailuz Center to answer questions and discuss their crucial new roles on the Department. Participants from PPOA included Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr., Board Member Jim Schallert, Labor Rep. Teresa O'Neil and staff.
|
|
Meeting re: Community Colleges Bureau Contract |
|
June 13: PPOA representatives, including President Tab Rhodes and Executive Director Quint, met with Captain Gannon and Lieutenant Jones to discuss the the recently-secured 5-year contract between the LASD Community Colleges Bureau and the LA Community College District. As the new contract represents many staffing changes, future meetings are being scheduled to discuss the impact on PPOA members.
|
|
June 14: PPOA representatives took part in their weekly teleconference to continue assessing the impact of COVID-19 on our membership.
Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA legal counsel.
|
|
Supporting the Health and Safety of PPOA Members |
|
June 14-15: PPOA proudly supported the health and safety of members by visiting multiple units on Tuesday and Wednesday to distribute hand sanitizers. |
|
California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation Meetings |
|
June 15: PPOA Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr, who has also served as Executive Director of the California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation (CPOMF) for the last seven years, took part in his final two meetings this week in that leadership role. Executive Director Quint's dedication to the CPOMF mission of honoring fallen officers began in 1999 when he joined the Foundation's Executive Board. PPOA is grateful for his decades of support for this worthy and noble cause.
|
|
June 15: LA County union leaders hosted a teleconference on Wednesday to discuss the current status of salary contract bargaining. President Rhodes represented PPOA for this meeting.
Unions United is composed of 15 AFL-CIO labor organizations and represents 85,000 LA County employees.
|
|
Coalition of County Unions Meeting |
|
June 15: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint joined fellow union leaders from the Coalition of County Unions for a video conference pre-meeting to discuss strategies heading into Fringe Benefit negotiations with the County later that day |
|
Fringe Benefits Negotiations |
|
June 15: President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint and fellow Coalition of County Unions (CCU) representatives met with LA County executives via video conference for contract negotiations for a successor Fringe Benefits Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The current Fringe Benefits contract expired on March 31, 2022.
|
|
Star & Shield Foundation Meeting |
|
June 16: PPOA's Star & Shield Foundation hosted its monthly Board of Directors Directors meeting via Zoom. Since its establishment in 2001, the Foundation has proudly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy organizations and causes -- with the single, most important mission of providing support for families of fallen officers.
Meeting participants included Board Members Tab Rhodes, Nancy Escobedo, Jose Rios, Joyce Kato, as well as Members-at-Large Juan Carlos Calderon, Gold Lee, Kevin Thompson and Margarita Turpen.
|
|
Unit 612 Negotiations Team Meeting |
|
June 16: The PPOA Unit 612 Contract Negotiations team met to continue discussing strategies for negotiating for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The current contract for Sergeants and Lieutenants from the Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office expired on January 31, 2022.
|
|
Custody Assistant Class #105 Graduation |
|
June 17: Board Member (LASD Custody Assistant) Tony Coleman and Executive Director Quint attended yesterday's graduation ceremony for Custody Assistant Class #105. PPOA congratulates all of the graduates for working hard and working together to complete the academy and begin their promising new careers.
|
|
Fraternal Order of Police |
|
PPOA members have long benefitted from our longtime affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1, which represents public safety organizations throughout LA County and operates under the capable leadership of former PPOA President Roger Mayberry. Click here to read the latest weekly news update from California FOP.
Please make it a point to check out the Washington Watch — a weekly update provided by the National FOP. We encourage PPOA members to stay up to date on the legislative news and activity impacting public safety personnel nationwide.
|
|
PPOA 22nd Annual Fishing Trip |
|
Hundreds of PPOA members have enjoyed these trips over the last two decades and we hope you join us out on the ocean this summer! This event often sells out, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible.
DETAILS
Friday, July 15, 2022
Gathering spot: Pierpoint Landing
200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Please arrive no later than 5:30 am
Boat leaves promptly at 6:00 am
Destination: Catalina and/or local waters
Boat: 85 ft. Enterprise
Capacity for PPOA fishing trip: 40 people
Cost: $48 per PPOA member (1 guest $48 allowed per member)
Reservations are first come, first served.
Call PPOA to book your spot: (323) 261-3010
Fishing license required. Purchase in advance or arrive early to purchase 1-day license. Rod/reel rental can be reserved with Enterprise Sports Fishing: (562) 983-9300.
Coffee and lunch will be provided by PPOA.
|
|
STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR UNION
DOWNLOAD THE PPOA APP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
