Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, February 12, 1976
Add to My HeroesZlatko Nicholi Sintic
Police Officer Zlatko Sintic was shot and killed as he and other officers approached a fast food restaurant in a Northridge shopping center to answer a silent alarm.
The gunman held an employee hostage for 5.5 hours before taking his own life.
Officer Sintic was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour 9 years
- Badge 15485
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; Small caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 86 ReflectionsI was fresh out of the academy and working graveyard shift as a police officer for Cal State Northridge. We monitor LAPD radio calls as we are within Devonshire Division. Early in the morning I heard the call go out of shots fired - officer down. As a rookie in my third week on patrol, I radioed dispatch and asked them to contact my training officer (Sgt Bradley) for permission to go. He wasn't reachable (because he was already at the scene). So I decided to go. When I arrived, I parked at the gas station on the N/E corner of Devonshire and Reseda. As I walked towards the McDonalds I saw an ambulance and was told that the officer was inside (I learned later that he died).
I came up to the Pizza joint that was right before McDonalds. I then saw my Sgt on the ground with his gun trained on the McDonalds. I told him that I would go around to the other side of the Pizza joint. When I got there I ran into 4 LAPD officers. That's when the shooting started. Since I could not get a clear view of what was happening, I chose to run back to my partner as he was alone. When I got there the shooting had stopped. My Sgt. was with an employee who had escaped the McDonalds and was shot in the gut by one of the cops before collapsing next to my Sgt. (he survived).
The next few hours involved securing the area and keeping traffic out.
Later we were told that the suspect had committed suicide. I went home.
It's not the kind of night that one is likely to forget.
hank monzello
cal state northridge police dept.
March 30, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Patrolman Joseph Barlow
McAlester Police Department, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy McCain
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Hermann Police Department, MO
EOW: March 12, 2023

Master Trooper James R. Bailey
Indiana State Police, IN
EOW: March 3, 2023

Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: March 1, 2023

Correctional Officer Jay Miller
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: February 11, 2023

Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 19, 2023

Sergeant Christopher D. Fitzgerald
Temple University Police Department, PA
EOW: February 18, 2023

Police Officer Geoffrey Redd
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: February 18, 2023