Slain Officer Is Called a Leader, One of the Best

Tommy De La Rosa always had a positive attitude, a constant smile and a good word for all, said his many friends and colleagues Friday who paid tribute to the 43-year-old Fullerton police officer who was gunned down in the line of duty last year.

More than 75 people gathered to honor the undercover narcotics agent as a plaque memorializing him was placed at the Orange County Peace Officer Memorial.

De La Rosa was a part of a multiagency drug task force that was investigating an Orange County drug ring when he was ambushed and killed by drug traffickers in June of last year. De La Rosa was the first officer to be killed in the Fullerton Police Department’s history.

The ceremony, which featured the Memorial Honor Guard, Orange County Sheriff’s Color Guard, and police and sheriff’s academy trainees, also remembered the 28 other Orange County officers killed in the line of duty over the years.

“This ceremony is to recognize those who have given their lives for the sake of the community,” said Zee Allred, vice president of the Sheriff’s Advisory Council. “There is so much attention being paid to one unfortunate incident with a few police officers involved, but this is to remember those who truly represent what law enforcement is about.”

Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates added that officers like De La Rosa “were the epitome” of good law enforcement and stressed that De La Rosa’s goal was to dedicate his life to the war on drugs.

De La Rosa’s commanding officer, Capt. Lee Devore of Fullerton, spoke of the 10-year veteran’s love for children and commitment to the force.

“Whenever he had time, he would talk with kids in the area. They all knew him.” Devore said. “He would tell them to stay in school, stay out of trouble and off drugs. He knew he had entered the profession to make a difference. He fought the good fight.”

As Devore spoke, De La Rosa’s wife, Leslie, wiped tears from her eyes. De La Rosa was the father of four children and had two grandchildren.

Friends of the officer added that they have struggled to pick up the pieces since De La Rosa’s death.

“He was our moral leader,” said Sgt. Joseph Klein, who worked with De La Rosa on the narcotics team. “We sort of fell apart after his death. It’s so hard. But we are getting it back together slowly but surely.”