A Community Shares the Pain

Nothing can bring back Charles Lazzaretto, the Glendale police investigator gunned down by a man accused of trying to kill his girlfriend. But in the weeks since the May 27 ambush that cost Lazzaretto his life, the community he served so selflessly has kept his memory alive in surprising and heartening ways. Last week, for instance, the city presented Lazzaretto’s widow with checks totaling about $170,000, raised through hundreds of large and small donations.

Glendale’s swift and overwhelming response illustrates the kind of community spirit and empathy that seems ever more scarce in neighborhoods across Southern California. Many lament the demise of this spirit; few actually do anything about it. But Glendale residents--touched by the death of a man who gave everything for the community--gave their thanks by merging hundreds of personal efforts into one overwhelming public appreciation.

No amount of money will erase the pain of Lazzaretto’s widow and two small children. His death leaves a void in their lives that can never be filled. At the same time, though, they’ve been taken into a larger family--one that includes doctors and shopkeepers, day laborers and schoolchildren. All shared the pain of losing one of their own. Lazzaretto was the first Glendale officer killed in the line of duty in 82 years. His death reminded the community that, even in such cynical times, there remain rare men and women willing to risk their own safety to protect the safety of their neighbors.

Lazzaretto, clearly, was one of those people. So often police officers disdain the public they serve. And no wonder. Few people are ever glad to see the red lights of a patrol car in the rear-view mirror. Cops on the beat endure verbal and even physical abuse. The generosity of Glendale residents, though, has overwhelmed many veteran officers. Even the men who congregate at the city’s day laborer hiring center--men barely hanging on to the bottom rung of the economic ladder--managed to scrape together $80 to help Lazzaretto’s family.

As so often happens, tragedy forced residents to consider the compact that constitutes community: Neighbors help neighbors, knowing that one day the help will be returned. Neighbors sacrifice for each other. Even though he lived in Valencia, Lazzaretto was part of the Glendale community--a neighbor, really. He died upholding his oath to protect the residents of Glendale. Since that May morning, the residents of Glendale have proven themselves worthy of that oath. They’ve proven themselves good neighbors.