Council Agrees That Families of Slain Officers Should Not Pay for Mementos
The City Council agreed Wednesday to amend a law that requires the family of a slain Los Angeles police officer to pay for mementos that are included in a memorial plaque.
Now, only the officer’s badge is turned over to the family. Other city-issued items, such as the service weapon and medals, must be paid for by the family. The firearm alone would cost $710.
“It is disturbing to think that the city would require the family of a police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice to spend their own money to include the duty weapon of the deceased officer in the memorial,” Councilman Joel Wachs said in a motion.
The council unanimously approved Wachs’ motion directing city attorneys to draft the ordinance amendment to permit the city to donate the other equipment.
The mementos often are mounted in a glass frame with the officer’s badge in the center. Within the Police Department, the plaque is called the Parker Citation.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
