We Remember and Honor LAPD Detective John K. Magness, End of Watch (EOW) May 21, 1920, Automobile Accident On May 15, 1920, Detective John Magness was riding in the University Division police ambulance when it collided with another vehicle at West Adams Street and Grand Avenue. Detective Magness died at White Memorial Hospital on May 21. Detective Magness, 32, worked under Captain R. Lee Heath, who regarded him as a "capable investigator." His wife, Mable, and children survived him. On June 15, 1920, the LAPD held a benefit dance for the widows of Detective Magness and Policeman Donald Hathaway, who was murdered on May 24, 1920. Over 5,000 people attended the event. The proceeds were divided equally between the officers' widows. Sources: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Herald, LAPD (fb)

We Remember and Honor California Youth Authority Officer Leslie "Les" M. Macarro, End of Watch (EOW) May 20, 1988, Struck by Vehicle On May 20, 1988, California Youth Authority Officers Leslie Macarro and Arthur Perez transported three wards from Chino's Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility to the LAC+USC Hospital in Los Angeles for medical care. After the treatment, the officers were escorting the wards back to the transportation van when one broke free and ran off, attempting to escape. Officer Macarro immediately gave chase. The suspect jumped a three-foot fence and ran across a road. A hospital pharmacist exiting the doctor's garage saw the prisoner run in front of him in chains, and this focused his attention solely on the escaping youth. He then heard a thud. He never saw Officer Macarro before his vehicle struck him. He ended up pinned beneath the pharmacist's car. Safety Police Officer Joel Sokolow arrived at the scene moments later. He was alerted to the escape by a paramedic while writing a report in the security office. He saw Officer Macarro's legs sticking out from under the pharmacist's car as the man told Sokolow he never saw Macarro before he struck him. Officer Sokolow attempted to free Macarro but could not because he was wedged too tightly under the vehicle. So instead, he put out radio traffic, asking for paramedics and alerting officers of the likely direction the suspect fled. Paramedics arrived approximately two minutes later and managed to move the car off Macarro, but it became evident that his injuries were catastrophic. Following Officer Sokolow's directions, other officers arrested the suspect, Anthony Adams, 19, a short distance away. He was returned to the Chino CYA and later faced murder charges in Los Angeles for Officer Macarro's death. Macarro, 52, was born in San Bernardino and a long-time Colton resident. He worked for the CYA for 13 years. He was a member of the Temecula Band of Luiseno Mission Indians from the Pechanga Reservation. His wife, Martha, worked for Colton's city clerk's office. Officer Macarro was the father of four children: Mark, Paul, John, and Caroline. Officer Macarro's son, Mark, became a leader with the Pechanga Tribal Council and one of their chief spokespersons. In 1998, ten years after his father's death, the success of Indian gaming allowed Mark to help create the Native American and Peace Officers Political Action Committee with Don Novey, the President of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. The CCPOA used its widows and orphans fund to assist the Macarro family following Officer Macarro's death. This PAC has become one of the most powerful in California politics. Sources: Los Angeles Times, California Department of Corrections, Interview with former OPS Sergeant Joel Sokolow (fb)