Police Officer Camille Modde, Winner of Heroism Award, Dies

Camille Modde, a decorated 12-year veteran of the Santa Ana Police Department, died Thursday of cancer. She was 35.

During much of her career, Modde was an investigator with Santa Ana’s special street narcotics team and won an international award for heroism in 1985. In April, 1985, Modde was involved in a gun battle with a suspected drug dealer who shot and wounded another officer before the suspect was fatally wounded. Modde, who was less than 5 feet from the suspect, was credited with saving the lives of fellow officers because of her marksmanship and courage under fire.

After the shooting, Modde initiated a 9-month investigation that eventually led to the arrest of several drug dealers and smashed a drug ring in Santa Ana.

For her efforts, Modde was honored by the International Assn. of Women Police Officers. She was a finalist in a field of 600 nominees. She also received the American Legion’s Act of Courage Award for the same incident, along with top departmental awards.

In July, 1987, Modde received the Santa Ana Police Service Medal but was unable to attend the ceremony to accept the honor because of her worsening health. Her last day of active duty was March 13.

After the ceremony, Modde wrote a letter to her fellow officers thanking them for their support. The letter, which was published in the Police Benevolent Assn. newsletter, read: “As you all know, I’m battling with cancer; I’ll win. I just can’t tell you exactly when I’ll be back to work, but I will eventually. I ask that you remember me in your prayers; that’s all you can do for me right now.”

Modde is survived by two sons, Eli, 15, and Christopher, 17, both of Orange; her mother, Marian Delaney of Santa Ana; a stepmother, Ruth La Rocque of Bakersfield; a stepfather, Jack Delaney of Santa Ana, and two brothers, Mark La Rocque of Orange and Rocky La Rocque of San Mateo.

The rosary for Modde is set for 7:30 p.m. today ) at Fairhaven Memorial Park Chapel in Fairhaven Cemetery in Santa Ana. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at La Purisima Catholic Church in Orange. Following the service, a line of police motorcycles will lead a procession to Fairhaven Cemetery, where Modde will be buried.

The family requests that donations be sent to the Santa Ana Police Benevolent Assn.