Retiring Det. Vannatter Praised : Council Honors Homicide Investigator’s 27 Years With LAPD

One of the nation’s most famous police officers, Det. Philip L. Vannatter of the Los Angeles Police Department, was honored Friday by the City Council with a resolution lauding his 27 years of service.

Vannatter, who gained fame for his role in the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, retired last week.

“Vannatter became a symbol of the stress of being in the LAPD and of the importance of holding your head high in the midst of the turmoil,” said Councilwoman Laura Chick.

“He has qualities above reproach,” said LAPD Cmdr. Tim McBride. “Vannatter was a policeman of extreme dedication and integrity.”

Vannatter became a familiar face during Simpson’s trial in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman. Vannatter and his longtime partner, Det. Tom Lange, were lead detectives in the case.

The tough, craggy-faced Vannatter spent many days on the witness stand, often going headto head with Simpson defense attorney Robert L. Shapiro.

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Vannatter was particularly upset during the trial when attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. referred in his closing statements to Vannatter as a “devil of deception.”

Later that day, Vannatter characterized Cochran’s remarks as “nonsense. It’s lies. It’s ridiculous.”

Vannatter could not be reached for comment Friday. But McBride said the veteran detective has said he “was disgusted by the trial.”

Vannatter joined the department in 1968 after serving in the Army. He became a homicide investigator in 1979 and worked on several hundred murder cases.

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The turnout at Vannatter’s retirement party Thursday at the Los Angeles Police Academy was so large that the event had to be held in a gymnasium.

“It was one of the biggest send-offs I have seen in years,” McBride said.

Vannatter’s son, Matthew, recently graduated from the academy and is a patrolman in Hollywood.