LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS FOR ACTS OF BRAVERY BEYOND CALL OF DUTY

            Several Los Angeles Airport Police officers were recently recognized for acts of bravery and beyond the call of duty at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and while off-duty in 2009.

            City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, whose 11th District includes LAX, and Los Angles Airport Police Chief George R. Centeno recognized the following officers for various acts of bravery and acts beyond the call of duty:

·         Officers Francis Smith, Shawn Smith and Burt Davis for bravery for convincing a man to remove and step away from a backpack that he claimed contained an explosive device that he would detonate;

·         Officer Lauren Peaks rescued a suicidal woman from the ledge of a bridge as she attempted to jump twice;

·         Officer Alvin Co recognized for the number of arrests made on-airport for Driving Under the Influence during one year;

·         Officer Tesfa McKinley, while off-duty, observed a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy fighting with a suspect and assisted the deputy with taking the suspect into custody.

Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl commended the officers for the “fine work they do at LAX while keeping the public safe.”

Chief Centeno said he “is proud to stand before the City Council in recognition of the LAX officers who are a representation of the front line of protection at LAX.” 

During the same recognition event, the following off-duty Airport Police officers also were recognized for winning a gold medal in the Over 35 Division and a bronze medal in the 3-on-3 games during the basketball competition at the Annual Police and Fire Games:  Sergeant Harold Evans, Detective Julius Levy, Officers Barry Wilds, Havon McLeod and Oscar Gatewood. 

The Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County with more than 1,200 law enforcement, security and staff personnel.   Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and  operates three airports in Southern California:  Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario  International (ONT) and Van Nuys (general aviation)