Bell Gardens : Disability Retirement OKd

The City Council has unanimously approved the disability retirement of Bell Gardens Police Sgt. Ronald C. Kunkle, who was shot in the line of duty last year during a raid in Maywood. Kunkle, a 14-year-veteran, was wounded while serving a search warrant on his fourth day in command of the special investigations unit. He was hospitalized with ankle and shoulder wounds.

According to police reports, Kunkle, 41, was assisting Maywood police officers when he was shot by a suspect barricaded in a house. He was shot again by a Bell-Cudahy police officer who arrived after Maywood officers called for assistance. The Bell-Cudahy officer was unaware that an undercover operation by plainclothes officers was under way and shot Kunkle three times, according to police reports.

“I am disappointed,” Kunkle said about his early retirement from the police force. “I had just received a promotion before this happened. This work is my life.”

Kunkle said he has lost 20% of the movement in his right shoulder and arm as a result of his injuries. Claims for damages against the cities of Maywood and Bell are pending, Kunkle said.