Monterey Park : Slain Officers Honored

The Police Department has posthumously honored two agents of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration who were killed in a shoot-out with suspected heroin dealers. Three local policemen were also awarded medals for their roles in the Feb 5. incident, in which two of the drug suspects were killed and a third was arrested.

“This plaque is in memory of these agents who fought the drug war and paid with their lives,” reads the inscription on the memorial to federal agents Paul S. Seema and George M. Montoya. The plaque will be permanently displayed at City Hall.

Monterey Park Detective Garry Wong and Reserve Officer Roger Murphy received the Police Department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor. Sgt. William Risen, who coordinated Monterey Park’s work with the DEA that day, received the department’s Distinguished Service Medal.

At the same ceremonies last week at City Hall, Monterey Park police Agent George Acevedo and Officer Ruben Echeverria were awarded medals of valor for their Feb. 1 rescue of a woman whose husband was threatening to kill her and their two small children.

Also, Reserve Officer Robert Nishimura won a Distinguished Service Medal for reviving a prisoner who had stopped breathing in the city jail.