Los Angeles World Airports Police Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, April 29, 2005
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 356
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: April 29, 2005
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Tommy Scott was killed after stopping a suspicious man near Los Angeles International Airport.
After the stop was made, a physical confrontation occurred and the suspect wrestled away from Officer Scott. The suspect jumped into the driver's seat of the patrol car, and with Officer Scott struggling to pull him out, sped off at speeds that reached 50 to 60 mph. The suspect then drove the police vehicle onto the sidewalk where Officer Scott was thrown into a fire hydrant and killed instantly.
After crashing Officer Scott's patrol car, the suspect carjacked a motorist and sped away. He lost control of the vehicle seconds later and launched up an embankment and over an airfield perimeter fence before landing upside down in an adjacent parking lot. He was then arrested and charged with murder.
On November 19, 2009, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life with no possibility of parole.
Officer Scott had served with the Los Angeles International Airport Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his father, stepmother, and brother.