February 22nd 1993 was a day no Compton cop would ever forget. It was nighttime as veteran officer K. Burrell and reserve officer Jimmy MacDonald rode together. Burrell was a 6ft 5inch 300-pound giant of a black man. He was an aggressive officer who loved to make the good felony arrest. Jimmy was a white officer, and was his last night riding in Compton because he just got hired fulltime as a police officer in northern California. This night would be their last night alive, as they were about to pull over one of the most ruthless “Bounty Hunter” Blood gang members around. His name was Regis Thomas. Within the last year, he was released from jail on a murder charge, due to fact the only eye witness to the case turned up murdered. Thomas grew up in Nickerson Gardens on Imperial Highway in L.A. In our opinion this large housing project, along with Imperial Courts and Jordan Downs are the worst places in L.A. You just don’t go into these projects at night, unless you have at the minimum four cops.

Officers again heard that one radio call, you never want to hear, as Compton dispatchers put out the radio call “shots fired at Rosecrans and Dwight Street, officers down”. When officers arrived, they found the police car facing west on Rosecrans Blvd. with its overhead lights going. In front of he car was Officer MacDonald laying in the street, shot numerous times, the worst was one shot to the back of the head at close range. Burrell was lying down by the curb also suffering from numerous gunshots. Burrell also shot in the head at close range and both were dead.

Our Police Department was in shambles. Kevin and Jimmy had been the first officers’ shot and killed in Compton. In addition, our personnel were paralyzed with grief, and unable to get a grip on the investigation. Chief Taylor made one of the best decisions of his career, he asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for assistance. We had already lost two days of the investigation since the Department had been bombarded, and over whelmed with clues relating to the shooting. The Sheriff’s Department had the resources, but we had the gang intelligence, so a Task Force was formed. We were part of this Task Force and were proud to be a part of the arrest and conviction of Regis Thomas who is currently on death row.

A special thanks to all at L.A.S.D. who were part of this investigation, especially the Firestone Gang Unit.

Read more about these officers on the California Peace Officers' Memorial website

Jasper "JJ" Jackson, In Loving Memory of a True Warrior

In Loving memory of Compton P. D. jailer 

Wayne Garner

On Sept. 1, 2003, our CRDF family lost a valuable member, Wayne Garner the "Gentle Giant" of booking.  When I was told of his passing, I was first in disbelief, dismayed, in shock, and finally asked "why?".  After the news sunk in, I realized that the Lord had called him home because his work here on earth was done.  This was Wayne's ultimate goal as a Christian.

 As most of us do at a time like this, I began to reflect on the man that I had the pleasure and honor to know and work with since 2000 and would like to share with you some of my memories and feelings of Wayne.

 I first met Wayne when he was newly assigned to CRDF after the merger of Compton P.D. and the Sheriff's Department.  I remember this very imposing figure walk into the Sergeants Office,  introduce himself, told me how happy he was to be here (before he was asked how he felt about the merger) and wanted to know where he was assigned.  In the short conversation I had with Wayne, I knew instantly that this was a very kind and gentle man and immediately felt at ease.  I also learned from Wayne that he had been with Compton for over 30 years and worked as a jailer while assigned there, so Wayne ended up eventually being assigned to booking.

 As with any new employee,  not knowing their past work or work ethic, and especially a employee from another department who does not know the Sheriff's Department way of doing things, I keep an eye on that person to see how fast they catch on and to see if they need any help.  After a very short time of watching Wayne work, it was very apparent that he knew more about booking than most of the employees that had been assigned there for sometime, and that we/I needed to go to him for the "how to's" of booking.  I am not sure if Wayne ever looked at the CRDF booking manual, but he did know the correct procedures.  There were several times in booking when I said how something should be done, and Wayne would turn, look at me as to say "did you really say that?"  He would lean back in his chair, take off his glasses, get a big grin on his face and say "Sarge have you considered this?"  I soon found out that was Wayne's way of telling me I was wrong and I learned to ask how things were done. 

 I, along with my fellow Sergeants and Senior Deputies,  would feel at ease when Wayne was in booking, as I knew there would not be any problems because he was there.  When I would find errors done at the time of booking by field crews or by our own booking staff, Wayne would say "Sarge, I'll take care of it.  They won't make the same mistake again."  I do not know what Wayne said or did, but the same mistakes did not happen again.

 Wayne's work ethic was beyond reproach, never late, rarely called in, did not complain if his relief was late or complain of any work related subjects or other employees, and did not like to leave his work unfinished for the next shift to handle.  I had learned he was driving daily from Hemet and he always arrived 20 to 30 minutes early.  When he did call in, it meant that he really was too ill to come to work or it was an emergency.  Of course he would apologize upon his return to work for missing a work day.  Not too long ago Wayne called in because he had car trouble, thinking it was the alternator he had his car towed to a shop.  The following week I asked him about his car, and he got a big sheepish grin, apologized again for calling in, then told me it was a loose battery cable only and like a kid was very embarrassed to tell me about the incident.

 Wayne was a teacher, trainer, and a mentor.  He did not hold any of those titles, but every day that he was on duty he was doing those things by example.  None of those that worked closely with him, including myself, did not know that he was teaching, training or mentoring them informally.  Wayne would do the work and those around him would learn by watching him or asking questions on how to do a task.  Wayne was always open and eager to help all those around him to improve their job skills and knowledge of their respective positions.  He was never overbearing with his method of training, as he did it by example only.

 When I think of Wayne's qualities, I think of the respect that he had for all he came in contact with, the respect that he earned, his leadership, his kindness, gentleness, love of family, his care of others, love of God, loyalty, sense of humor, his love of life, his sense of duty and his ability to touch lives.  I never saw Wayne show any disrespect of anyone he came in contact with at work,  i.e. fellow employees, visitors, and even prisoners etc.  He treated everyone the way that he wanted to be treated, with dignity.  He was a leader to his peers and at times to his supervisors.  He often spoke of his family, what they were doing and what was happening in their lives, and you could just feel how he loved them.  Wayne had a great sense of humor and shared it daily with a big smile and a loud laugh.  He just enjoyed life.

  When I think of the respect that Wayne earned, it was because of the way he treated others, and never something that he forced others to do.  He earned it by being Wayne, always putting others first.  He cared for other people and loved people.  When Wayne would ask "how are you?", he really wanted to know and waited for an answer.  When he talked with you he paid attention to what you had to say, and made you feel that your thoughts were important.  When I would go to booking on a slow day, I would find Wayne talking, sitting in his chair surrounded by booking clerks, Custody Assistants and even the Senior Deputy, and they were all focused on Wayne and what he was saying.  Why? Because they respected what he had to say , no matter what the topic was, because he gave them the same type of attention.

 I do not know if Wayne knew of all the lives that he touched in his daily encounters, but he did touch mine and I hope yours too.  A good example of his touching lives occurred yesterday as I was outside of booking during my shift.  A deputy from an outside unit went over to Century Station.  He noticed me as he returned to his car and walked over to me and said, " I just wanted to say how sorry I was for the loss CRDF has suffered with Mr. Garners death.  He was a wonderful man."  He said nothing more and left.  Later on in the shift another deputy from another station came up to me, and said how sorry he felt about the loss of Mr. Garner.  I asked the deputy if he ever worked with Wayne, and he said, " No, I only know him from the few times I have booked here.  He was always so helpful and nice to me.  I know that he was just a good guy."

 Many people are judged on their success by the jobs, financial gains, and material goods they hold and have.  Wayne was not a rich man financially, he was not a CEO, and he did not have a lot of material goods.  He was a success and very rich by the lives he touched and the life he lead.  I had always thought I would be a success by touching a few lives, but I have a long ways to go to be as successful as Wayne, but I have been blessed by working with him.

 I suggest to each of you to take a few minutes and think of Wayne and what he meant to you and how he enriched your lives.  Talk and share with each other your memories of Wayne.  Say a prayer for Wayne and for his loving family.  Take time out of your busy schedule and send a note to the Garner family express your sorrow for their loss and share with them what Wayne meant to you and also thank the Garners for sharing Wayne with all of us.

 Wayne was a dedicated servant to Compton P.D. and L.A.S.D. for over thirty years, keep his memory alive by striving to be like him in your work ethics, your job and the way you treat others.  Life is too short to dwell on petty things.  Live life to the fullest, and love others like Wayne did.  Take time for each other.

 Knowing that Wayne was a Christian man, I am sure the first thing he heard when he went home to the Lord was, "well done my good and faithful servant."

 In memory of Wayne O. Garner, E.O.W. 09/01/2003     

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