Los Angeles Police Foundation

10/09/2026

Thank you to all of the agencies who participated in this!

LAPD and federal agencies executed a major sweep on Skid Row, arresting 23 suspects and identifying 28 in a crackdown on gang-run drug networks operating out of homeless tents. MORE ⬇️

10/06/2026

On October 18, 1969, 77th Street Area Police Officers Donald Mandella and Elvan “Al” Moen were conducting plainclothes surveillance in an unmarked police vehicle in response to a series of armed robberies occurring in the vicinity of Manchester Avenue and Stanford Avenue.

While the officers were parked in the driveway of a fast food restaurant, two armed suspects approached their vehicle from the rear in a deliberate ambush. It was later determined that the suspects were both associated with the Black Panther Party.

One suspect, armed with a .30-caliber surplus M1 Carbine r***e, fired a round into the police vehicle from approximately six feet away, shattering the rear wind wing. Simultaneously, a second suspect who was armed with a double-barrel sh***un fired into the vehicle, striking Moen in the left hand and right shoulder.

Despite sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, Moen immediately returned fire, fatally wounding one suspect. Mandella also returned fire as the other suspect attempted to flee the scene, striking him multiple times.

Moen was transported to the hospital, where he received treatment for gunshot wounds to his left hand and right shoulder. The wounded suspect fled the location but was later located and transported to a local hospital. The Los Angeles County District Attorney subsequently filed two counts of Assault with Intent to
Commit Murder.

Police Officer Donald Mandella received the Medal of Valor

Police Officer Elvan "Al" Moen received both the Purple Heart and the Medal of Valor.

10/05/2026

In the early morning hours of June 23, 2025, LAPD West Los Angeles Division Sergeant Shiou Lih Deng was on duty when he observed a stranded motorist on the 405 Freeway near Moraga Drive. Without hesitation and fully aware of the dangers presented by the high-speed traffic environment, Deng stopped his marked patrol vehicle in a protective position, activated its emergency lights, and exited to assist the disabled motorist.

While rendering aid and taking measures to ensure the safety of the motorist, an oncoming vehicle struck the rear of Deng’s patrol vehicle. The force of the impact propelled the police vehicle forward, fatally injuring both Deng and the citizen he had stopped to help.

Deng knowingly placed himself in harm’s way to protect the life of another, demonstrating extraordinary courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to the preservation of human life.

Sergeant Shiou Lih Deng served with the LAPD for 26 years and is survived by his wife, Candelaria;stepdaughter, Stephanie; father, Wei Ka; mother, Jen Shu; and brothers, Shiou Yuan and Shiou Nick.

Sergeant Shiou Lih Deng was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

10/02/2026

In the early morning hours of September 23, 2023, LAPD Sergeant Vanessa Prentice and numerous officers assigned to LAPD Southwest Community Police Station were involved in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The pursuit concluded when the driver voluntarily stopped the vehicle on Western Avenue, north of Jefferson Boulevard.

The officers conducted a high-risk felony stop of the driver and passenger, ordering both occupants from the vehicle and directing them into the prone position. Two officers blocked the northbound traffic on Western Avenue at Jefferson Boulevard to protect the scene while officers secured the suspects.

While officers cleared the stolen vehicle and took the felony suspects into custody, Prentice remained in the roadway near a marked patrol vehicle positioned diagonally across the northbound lanes with its rear amber emergency lights activated to warn approaching motorists. As she turned to monitor the officers’ progress, a vehicle traveling against traffic struck Prentice from behind at an estimated speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour.

The violent impact launched Prentice into the air, throwing her approximately 40 feet away from where she was hit. Officers immediately broadcast an “Officer Needs Help” call and requested emergency medical assistance. A rescue ambulance happened to be driving by and immediately stopped to render aid. Once Prentice was stabilized, she was transported to the hospital for emergency care.

The driver appeared unaware that she had been driving on the wrong side of the roadway or that she had struck a police officer. A subsequent investigation determined the driver had Blood Alcohol Content readings of 0.14. She was arrested and booked for felony DUI with injury.

Sergeant Prentice sustained catastrophic injuries, including shattered bones in her right foot and a traumatic brain injury with a brain bleed. These serious line-of-duty injuries required extensive medical treatment and recovery.

Sergeant Vanessa Prentice was presented with the Purple Heart.

10/01/2026

On October 29, 1983, LAPD Police Officers Arthur Soo Hoo and William Wong were assigned to patrol duties with the Anti-Gang Unit, when their marked patrol vehicle was broadsided in a high-speed hit-and-run collision in Chinatown.

The violent impact inflicted catastrophic injuries upon both officers that resulted in their line-of-duty deaths.

Both suspects fled to Mexico where they were arrested by Mexican authorities but released because of the violent drug cartel to which they belonged. As of May 2011, the driver was still outstanding and is believed to be in Mexico. The passenger was arrested in Vacaville in 2003. He pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge and
is out of prison.

Officer Soo Hoo was survived by his wife and son. Officer Wong was survived by his wife, Martha, and their six year-
old daughter.

The Purple Heart was posthumously awarded to Police Officers Arthur Soo Hoo and William Wong.

09/29/2026

On the afternoon of November 14, 1975, LAPD South Traffic Division Police Officer 2+2 Anthony Malley was working as a motor officer in the Wilmington Area when a community member flagged him down to report a shooting that had just occurred. Malley was provided with a description of the suspect and told he was trying to flee in a vehicle.

Malley notified Communications of his location and the nature of the call and requested an additional unit. As he pulled up to the scene, he saw the suspect enter a car. He began to dismount from his motorcycle when the suspect accelerated and steered his car directly at him. The suspect crashed into Malley and the motorcycle, pinning his leg between the motorcycle and the suspect’s car. The suspect proceeded to drive away, dragging Malley approximately 20 to 30 feet before the motorcycle became dislodged and the suspect escaped.

Malley sustained numerous abrasions and a serious knee injury, requiring three days in the hospital and several months of therapy and recovery before returning to duty. (While in the hospital, a hospital employee who Malley had previous cited threatened to kill him, requiring him to be transferred to another hospital for his safety.) He continued working as a motor officer until 1986 when he was forced to medically retire due to cumulative duty-related injuries.

The FBI apprehended the suspect four months later in Chicago. He returned to Los Angeles, was convicted of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer, and was sentenced to five years in state prison.

Police Officer Anthony Malley was presented with the Purple Heart for the injuries sustained in this incident.

09/28/2026

Before we share the stories of the 16 LAPD officers who received the Medal of Valor and/or Purple Heart last week, here's a word from several of the Department's Deputy Chiefs on bravery.

We would like to give special thanks for our Four Star Sponsors whose support helped make the event possible: Axon; Federal Signal Lights & Sirens; Ford Motor Company; Klee, Tuchin; Hackman Capital; Pachulski, Stang; Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union; Deborah Lebowitz; Marathon Petroleum Corporation; Motorola; Paramount Pictures; Schuman Family Foundation; T-Mobile; and Tutor Perini.

09/25/2026

Yesterday, we had the honor of hosting the Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony and Luncheon for the LAPD.

In the coming days, we will share the stories of the 16 current and retired officers who received the Department's highest honors: the Purple Heart and/or Medal of Valor.

Thank you to Galls for serving as our Presenting Sponsor this year!

Here is a video of the LAPD's assistant chiefs speaking on the meaning of valor.

09/11/2026

Never Forget.

09/06/2026

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