05/27/2026
A profound honor to stand alongside the men and women of the LAPD at the 2026 Memorial Ceremony. Together, we gathered to remember, honor, and celebrate the lives of the 241 fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our city.
As a Chaplain, my heart is continuously moved by the resilience, dedication, and profound sense of family within this department. From sharing a moment of reflection with Chief Jim McDonnell to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our officers, this day was a powerful reminder that while our heroes may be gone, they are never, ever forgotten.
A particularly humbling moment for me was spending time with the wife of Sergeant Shiou Lin Deng. Sgt. Deng lost his life on June 23, 2025, when he stopped on the 405 Freeway to help motorists involved in a crash. He died a true hero—putting the safety of strangers above his own, just as he did for over 26 years serving our city. Holding space for his family, and for all the families who carry this heavy grief, is a sacred privilege I do not take for granted. 💙👮♂️🕊️