Sirens roared along Ramona Boulevard in Baldwin Park as police officers from all over the area gathered on Friday to mourn one of them.
Hundreds of residents and officers surrounded the vast arrangement of blue and white flowers created in the shape of the Baldwin Park Police Station heart and cross-shaped crosses in memory of Officer Samuel Liberos. Family, friends and locals stood in a strict solemn way, and sometimes wept quietly as law enforcement officials spoke about Liberos’ work and his presence in the community.
Liberos, 35, is her husband, who married a childhood friend and was the father of two. According to police chief Robert Lopez, he has been a member of the Baldwin Park SWAT team for nearly a decade and also worked as a training officer. He is a snowboarder and often attended concerts, with friends and colleagues reminiscing.
Manuel Soto holds a candle during an overnight stay of police officer Samuel Liberos, who collapsed at Baldwin Park Police Station on Friday.
(Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times)
A photo of Liberos smiling in his police uniform was in front of the stage, adorned with the colours of his favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Sam leaves a hole in our hearts that will never be fulfilled in this life,” his mother, Lily Liberos, said in a written statement passed on by her sister. “He will take the time to understand what he can do and encourage the people he has worked with to do the same.”
“I can’t wait until I meet Sammy again,” she added.
On May 31, Baldwin Park officials Anthony Pimentel and Alfredrial responded to reports of a shooting in the 4200 block of Philharmonicles Avenue. Eduardo Medina Bellmen, a 22-year-old resident, is allegedly shot and killed 43-year-old Darius Wong after a parking dispute, a neighbor and law enforcement official told The Times. However, it is still unclear whether Wong was involved in the conflict.
After that, Medina-Velomen is said to have engaged in a shootout with the officers that arrived. According to the Los Angeles County district, Liberos ran towards the shooting to support a fellow officer and was fatally shot. Atty. Nathan Hochman. Pimentel suffered minor injuries and was temporarily hospitalized.
Akeem Haim, a high school friend of Riveros, said he was not surprised by the circumstances of his death. His commitment to duties was one of the hallmarks of his life.
“So I wasn’t surprised he became an officer,” Heim said. “That’s what Sam does… They say he didn’t hesitate, and I believe them.
Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila said in a tearful speech that Liberos is an active and impactful community member who supported multiple youth initiatives.
“I work in kindergarten. He came along with the rest of our great police station, sirens, handed me stickers and sang,” Avila said. “His interaction with the community was amazing.”
In an emotional exhibit, the officers and crowds say, “Let’s go, Sammy!” – Cadence just like we hear in the Dodgers game.
Firefighters will raise the American flag between two ladder trucks before Samuel Liberos’ vigil on Friday.
(Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times)
Many community members and executives have demonstrated Liberos’ commitment to the community.
“Looking at all these people here, it’s crazy,” said childhood friend Eric Esquivel. “All of these people came here for Sammy because they really knew and loved him.”
Lopez said he was saddened by the loss of one officer and the wounds of another officer, but praised them for their sacrifice.
“People were down and there was nothing he by Sam or the other responding officers,” Lopez said.
Medina-Bermen has been charged with two counts of murder in special circumstances, two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, and one count of assault weapons. If convicted of being charged, he faces life sentences without parole. Prosecutors can also opt to seek the death penalty.
In an interview with the Times on the 1st day, when he took office in December, Hochmann said that “cold-blooded assassination of police officers” could justify his pursuit of the death penalty. However, in this case, that decision has not yet been made.
Rev. Elmer Jackson, pastor of Baldwin Park Police Station, said Liberos’ losses were “devastating” for the department, but they also brought new sense of unity between the executives and the community.
“This tragedy brought our community together,” Jackson said. “It’s linked our police stations, so despite everything, something good is coming.”
As the overnight speech concluded, a police helicopter circled her head. Prayer candles were dotted across the fields behind the department.
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