A 2nd Slain Teenager Is Remembered

For the second time in as many days, a grieving community packed the aisles and pews of a church Saturday to remember a La Crescenta teen who was killed last weekend.

More than 600 people paid their respects to the family of 14-year-old Blaine Talmo Jr., whose badly beaten body was found last Sunday next to 13-year-old Christopher McCulloch’s on a playground at Valley View Elementary School in La Crescenta.

The congregation gathered at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church was largely composed of law enforcement officials, including Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, and young teens who knew both victims.

Blaine’s father, Sheriff’s Sgt. Blaine Talmo, along with his wife, Alana, and their two children were huddled at the front of the church as Eric Clapton’s somber hymn, “Tears in Heaven,” played.

Talmo was flanked by hundreds of his co-workers at the traditional Catholic Mass. Some were in uniform while others were dressed in black. The Rev. Gordon Chang praised the family for remaining strong and reminded them that Blaine has gone back home.

“This is not the end but the beginning for Blaine,” he said. “He is going where he once came from.”

The youth was described as outgoing and friendly and as someone who took the time to listen to others. Blaine and Chris were avid skateboarders, whom friends say had recently begun running with a tougher crowd.

But family friends said there was more to Blaine than the recent depiction of the boy in media reports.

“He wasn’t a roughshod kid,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Al Rodriguez, who gave the eulogy. Rodriguez worked at the department’s Universal City substation with Blaine’s dad, who now works in West Hollywood.

Blaine Jr. “was a gentle soul,” Rodriguez said.

“This tragedy will be burned in our memory for years but nonetheless there was more to this kid than this one day,” Rodriguez continued. “There wasn’t one person who didn’t like Blaine. We have to remember that kids aren’t ours. We are theirs.”

Many residents are still reeling from the brutal beatings. While not all questions have been answered, Glendale police have arrested 15-year-old Michael Demirdjian of La Crescenta in connection with the crime. The teen has been charged with two counts of murder and robbery and awaits arraignment.

Although no motive has been established, police have said drugs may have been in a factor in the boys’ deaths.

During separate memorial services for the two victims, a theme that echoed throughout was that violence is all too prevalent in today’s society.

On Friday, at Christopher’s service, his mother, Aileen Bristow, called for an end to violence that has claimed the lives of children such as her own.

A day later at Blaine’s memorial, the same message was clear.

“We should all learn from this tragedy,” said the boys’ friend, Ashley Penland, who spoke at Blaine’s service and wore a yellow ribbon in her hair with the words: “C & B, Live and Love 4 Ever.”

Ashley spoke softly about Chris and Blaine but had a message for those listening. “We need to stop the violence,” she said. “They didn’t deserve to die.”