VFW Honors Police for Bank Heist Bravery

In a symbolic gesture of appreciation for all of the men and women who serve in law enforcement, the California contingent of the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented North Hollywood police officers with a plaque commemorating their heroic actions during the Bank of America gun battle in February.

Representatives from several Valley VFW posts traveled to the LAPD’s North Hollywood Division on Friday afternoon to make the presentation.

The plaque, a hefty 10-by-14-inch slab of bronze, reads, “To the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department, for conspicuous gallantry on 28 February 1997.”

“We thought it was incumbent upon our organization to let them know that we appreciate their efforts,” said Duncan Wilmore, a retired lieutenant colonel who flew more than 100 combat missions as an Air Force fighter pilot in Vietnam.

“Our fighting days are over, but they are out there every day, and we just wanted to let them know that we support what they are doing,” Wilmore said.

Eleven police officers and six civilians were injured after two robbers sprayed hundreds of rounds of automatic-weapons fire during a botched holdup of a North Hollywood Bank of America branch. The suspects were killed by police during the gun battle.

One of the injured officers, Sgt. Dean Haynes of the North Hollywood Division, said that he and his colleagues were appreciative of the honor.

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars are real heroes. These are the people who fought to keep our country free,” Haynes said. “For them to take the time to acknowledge our officers for what they have accomplished is very special.”

Wilmore said that while it was appropriate that the plaque should hang in the North Hollywood Division, where most of the injured officers were based, the sentiments it symbolizes are universal.

“It’s a token of our respect for all law enforcement agencies,” Wilmore said. “We really feel a sense of camaraderie with them.”