Dozens of reporters are gathered outside Northridge Hospital Medical Center awaiting two news conferences: one from the surgeon who operated on LAPD SWAT Officer James Veenstra, whose surgery was reportedly successful, and another from LAPD Chief William Bratton and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Patricia Nazario is among the press corps and joins us with more, Patricia?
A portrait of LAPD SWAT Officer James Veenstra, 51, displayed at a news conference outside Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Photo: Patricia Nazario/KPCC
A portrait of LAPD SWAT Officer Randal Simmons, 51, the first SWAT officer killed in the line of duty since the elite unit began in 1967, displayed at the same news conference. Photo: Patricia Nazario/KPCC
Since then: Simmons’ widow, Lisa Simmons, told his story in the book 41 D: Man of Valor: The Story of SWAT Officer Randy Simmons.
The Los Angeles Police Department honors SWAT Officer Randal D. Simmons.
This report is part of a five-part series on the killing of LAPD SWAT Officer Randal Simmons. See all five reports →
