Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 45th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
August 13, 2010

Rest in Peace, Deputy Ludlow. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
October 23, 2009

Ron Ludlow was the third man in my radio car (FPK 11A-pm) during the '65 riots on the night he was shot. I really didn't know him because he was assigned temporally from custody for the night. I didn’t actually witness the shooting as I had gone behind the burning liquor store at Imperial Hwy and Wilmington Ave. When I heard the report of the shotgun, I returned to the radio cars on Imperial Hwy to find Deputy Ludlow lying on the street mortally wounded. My other partner and I loaded Ron into the nearest radio car. He died on my lap in the back seat on the way to St Francis Hospital because we couldn't get an ambulance into the area due to the road block that had been set up at Imperial & Alameda. I remember the deputy on the radio telling the dispatcher to have whoever at Imperial Hwy and Alameda clear the road block because we were not going to slow down.

Deputy Ludlow, God bless him, was D.O.A. at St Francis Hospital even though the hospital staff gave it a yeoman’s effort to revive him. I'm a lot older now (not necessarily smarter) and understand the tactical reasons for the road block, which I didn’t then. And in all honestly, I must admit that the ambulance probably wouldn't have changed the outcome.

The actual shooting came about when the "perp" tried to disarm the Deputy with the shotgun which went off in the struggle and hit Ludlow in the chest/stomach area. If my memory serves me correctly, He was convicted of or plead to manslaughter !
Jack Miller
LASD Retired

Jack Miller Retired Deputy
Los Angeles County Sheriff
February 3, 2008

I worked with Ron and Bill at HOJJ for 2 yrs and then just during the '65 riots. Ron was a good friend to have and to work with. A good sense of humor and warm smile. I have often thought of him and have a small dedication to him in my book "Behind the Badge: The Funny Side of the Thin Blue Line" in the FPK section. R.I.P. my friend.

Harry Penny Former Dep
LASD 1963-1972
September 29, 2007

Firestone Station (where Deputy Ludlow was assigned) personnel have been my back-up on many occasions. I routinely take my vacation during the Month of August. Until 29 April 1992, August seemed to always be the most violent month on the streets of Los Angeles. I remind fellow officers of two locations here in Southeast – (1) Avalon Boulevard – 114th Street (location of California Highway Patrol (CHP) traffic enforcement vehicle pullover of Marcus Frye) and (2) Imperial Highway – Wilmington (location where Deputy Ludlow was shot)

One night during 1992, I myself wondered about my shotgun being taken while standing a post alone for eight hours at Imperial Highway – Main Street. Although many hostile civilians passed by, I remained unscathed (all of those prayers from others I suspect). After being deployed for a month in 1992, to various areas throughout the city, I later did a radio show with many of the politically correct who chose to call 1965 and 1992 “civil unrests,” rather than “riots.”

For Fellow Historians: Whatever you choose to call it, the similarities were uncanny.
1965 – related in part to CHP traffic enforcement vehicle pullover of Marcus Frye
1992 – related in part to CHP traffic enforcement vehicle pullover of Rondney King
1965 – first night many City leaders were attending a fundraiser
1992 – first night many City leaders were attending a fundraiser
1965 – former CIA Director John McCone headed a panel to investigate
1992 – former CIA (and FBI) Director William Webster headed a panel to investigate

Prior to the events of 1965, LAPD patrol did not deploy with shotguns. Not only did the first official SWAT evolve as a result, but also additionally, shotguns were finally approved for LAPD patrol personnel.

Deputy Ludlow, may You Rest-In-Peace. You are most certainly not forgotten.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
August 13, 2007

My father was one of the officers involved in this tragedy. Though the responsibility of the death of Deputy Ludlow sits squarely on the shoulders of the murderer, this incident is the one thing in his life that he could not reconcile. It affected him terribly. On more that one occasion, my father was overwhelmed with regret and remorse, feeling for the family that had lost their hero and that he could have done something differently. As I look back, my father lost a piece of his life that night too. For 40 years I know that my father was willing to sacrifice his life for the return of Deputy Ludlows life. I feel that I need to tell the family that my heart goes out to you. I was fortunate to have my father growing up. I know it still affects them to this day as it did my father to his dying day. To all that don't understand the sacrifice that these heroes have made, please give them the respect they so richly deserve. To the Ludlow family, I hope that God has eased your pain, you are in my prayers.

Jim Lauer
Son of a fellow officer
June 16, 2007

If any friends or co-workers of Deputy Ludlow know more about him, or the circumstances of his death, please post any information you feel is appropriate. I wish to do a report for an academy class honoring Deputy Ludlow and the importance of retaining your weapons.

Recruit Shannon Meyer
LASD
December 2, 2006

The local papers have shown photographs of people celebrating the 40th anversary of the Watts riots, and calling it a revolt not a riot. But it is a tradgedy that you and Long Beach Officer LeFebvre's family had to live through, as they are not able to celebrate your life.

Anonymous
August 12, 2005

Even though I didn't know you I was off duty and at St. Francis Hospital having my son's foot stitched up when you were brought in by a Sheriff's unit. I helped take you into the hospital where you left us. I then went to work on LBPD that night where a fellow officer and friend was also killed in the riots in Long Beach. I have never forgotten that terrible incident and neither of you will ever be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Larry Carter-Retired
Long beach Ca. Police Dept.
December 7, 2004

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

The Department never forgets.

Rest in peace, hero.

October 20, 2004

God bless, Ron...your work & time on Earth is not forgotten.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police
March 3, 2004

Rest in peace Deputy Ludlow

Andy
December 31, 2003

No fallen deputy should be without a reflection.....Thank you Deputy Ludlow.......You'll never be forgotten.... Rest in peace..

Anonymous
October 3, 2003