 | |  | Policeman Russell A. Leidy
Los Angeles Police Department
California
Tuesday, July 24, 1934 |
We are the LAPD ! We do not leave any Men or Women behind, and we do not forget any LAPD Brother or Sister, who may have fallen in the line – of – duty.
Sir:
May You Rest-In-Peace. Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
2007-07-24
Some years ago, I asked for reflections from those who knew the officers who had died in the line-of-duty at Southwest (formerly University) Station. One response I recieved came from Robert Ohen Tucker, a retired LAPD Motorcop, from Napa, CA.
(dated 02/10/1994)
"Russ Leidy and my father, Ohen H. "Pappy" Tucker were partners the night Russ was killed. My dad was driving that night.
Dad and Russ observed a Model A Ford coupe, with a rumble seat, in the area. The driver was a male white. The front seat passenger was a male black, and the guy in the rear was a male white. It was an uncommon sight in those days, so my dad and Russ stopped the car.
As my dad approached the driver, Russ approached from the passenger side. As Russ was even with the rumble seat, shots rang out, hitting Russ and killing him instantly.
The car immediately accelerated and as it turned the corner, a shot rang out and the male black front seat passenger was ejected. During this brief period, my dad emptied his gun at the fleeing vehicle.
Russ had fallen in front of the police car, so pursuit became out of the question. Dad sat down and cradled Russ in his arms.
The two white men were apprehended in the same general area within three-to-four hours. The investigation revealed that the car belonged to the black man, and they had kidnapped him at gunpoint. They had been planning a robbery and wanted his car.
Russell Liedy was a tall and rather quiet man. He had a wife and a couple of children. I remember him as being a kind and friendly man, especially towards my brother and I. I was ten years old at the time.
I recall how this incident affected my father. I heard the story many times from dad. He never forgot that night. A copy of the Russ' portrait that hangs in the Southwest station lobby hung on my father's wall until he died in 1968. I now have that picture, and it's in my house with my other police memorabilia."
Sincerely,
Robert Ohen Tucker, #4104 Sgt. K. Moreland
LAPD
2005-12-06
To the grandfather I will never know ........
A legacy that was taken from us tooo soon.............
68 years later and everytime an officer falls I still get the chills...............
You are truely missed...........
Your granddaughter Dawn Laseter
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