Drive-by held outside his home in gang-plagued Cypress Park area
THE SIGNAL - SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) - An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was killed Saturday in a drive-by shooting outside his home in the gang-plagued Cypress Park area, police said.
The deputy was not in uniform and was walking when shots rang out from a passing white car at about 5:40 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Officer Jason Lee said.
Witness said they heard about five shots.
The deputy died at the scene. Police identified him as Juan Escalante, 27. Sheriff Lee Baca, who went to the scene, said he was a two-year veteran who worked at the downtown Men's Central Jail.
"We know that the public at large is grieving the loss," he said.
Lee said it was not immediately clear whether the killers knew the victim or were aware he was a law enforcement officer.
LAPD Chief William Bratton also when to the scene. He said it was too early to determine whether the shooting was gang-related.
Bratton also said the Police Department had staged a crackdown this year against violent gangs in the area and that crime there had "diminished significantly."
"This is the first homicide, now, in several months since the roundup up most of the gang leadership," he said.
The funeral services for Deputy Juan Escalante will be held on Friday, August 8, 2008, at 0900 hours, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles
I am a serving officer of 18 years from Hampshire England. Without reservation i and i'm sure my colleages in Hampshire and England will say our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Graham Wren (Investigation team Winchester,Hampshire, England)
Posted by: Graham Wren | August 25, 2008 at 03:19 PM
As always, this is a terrible loss. And this hits close to home for our family.
I live in the home that Office David March grew up in. His parents, John and Barbara sold this beautiful home to us 3 years ago, because it had too many memories that were just too painful to live with. They are a precious family whose lives have been devastated. Being in this home, I think of our officers often, and pray for them and the March family.
My brother, James Landrum, was Officer Escalante's trustee in Men's Central Jail. Jimmy is in CA Men's Colony in SLO. He found an article about the slaying of Officer Escalante and called me from prison, mourning his untimely death. In his letters to me, Jimmy says that Officer Escalante was dedicated to service, a good man, a good father, and had a heart for the youth of Los Angeles.
My brother, Pete Gavitte is a CHP officer in NoCal. I worry about him, but instead try to just pray for his safety.
My son, Joe Gault has applied to the Sheriff's department. He didn't get in this time, but can re-apply in a year. He is applying to other agencies in the mean time, but ultimately aspires to be a Deputy Sheriff. As a mother, the calling that my son feels is difficult for me, living in Officer David March's home, and now hearing the news of Officer Escalante. But I pray for God's will and for my son to realize his calling.
We are praying for Officer Escalante's family and friends. We pray for God's protection over our law enforcement officers. May God be with us.
Posted by: Teri Gault | August 21, 2008 at 09:15 AM