City Salutes Firefighter Shot in Rioting

SANTA ANA — As he stood in the crowded City Council chambers Monday evening, Lenny Edelman was too moved to speak. It was the first time in his life, he said later, that he had received a standing ovation.

“We couldn’t be any more proud of you,” Mayor Daniel H. Young told Edelman as he presented him a proclamation. “You really did the ultimate act for your citizens.”

The 32-year-old Santa Ana firefighter was given a hero’s applause for his bravery during the Los Angeles riots in April. He was one of three firefighters injured in the line of duty during the disturbance.

Edelman, overcome by shyness as the audience heartily applauded and his colleagues cheered, did not address the audience.

But in an interview later, he told of being shot in South Los Angeles five minutes after arriving at the scene of a fire. The bullet penetrated Edleman’s left thigh but bounced out, he said. He was protected by the heavy gear he was wearing, he said.

Edelman said that only once before--early in his employment with Santa Ana Fire Department six years ago--had he been shot at while on duty.

“That one was to scare me,” he said. “This one was not to scare me.”

Edelman said he does not want the public to forget about Los Angeles firefighter Scott Miller, who is still recuperating after being shot in the face during the first night of riot violence.

“I think about him every day,” Edelman said. “I think I could have been in his situation. I think about how much he has given. He has given so much more of himself than I have.”