Deputy Sheriff Lawrence "Mike" Lavieri

Lawrence "Mike" Lavieri

Deputy Mike Lavieri was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a gas station to investigate a suspicious person.

Deputy Lavieri located the man inside a car and began to question him. During the questioning the suspect opened fire, wounding Deputy Lavieri's partner. Deputy Lavieri then chased the suspect into a home a half a block away where the two exchanged shots. Deputy Lavieri was seriously wounded in the exchange, with a gunshot to the face. Deputy Lavieri was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.

The suspect was taken into custody after a mob of angry citizens restrained him. The man was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years to life.

Deputy Lavieri had been employed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 16 years.