Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Nelson Yamamoto. I am sadden that Dep. Yamamoto never got the chance to enjoy a long career in law enforcement, have a family, and live a full life. Rest In Peace.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District

December 28, 2006

Hi Deputy Yamamoto.

I never met you. You were killed before I became a Deputy DA in January 1993. But, my first assignment was Florence-Firestone, in that "lovely" concrete building on Hill Street.

I was so wet behind the ears when I was hired. I had no clue about the real dangers that befell law enforcement. I shamefully admit that I was a bit of a liberal and would often take the side against the police.

That all changed on April 1st, 1993. A mere 3 months into the job, I had a preliminary hearing with your TO. I was clueless about what had happened to you the previous year. The deputy was late and not looking too good. He said he had had a late night (you can fill in the blanks) and preceded to share with me his situation.

He told me that he and your fellow deputies had spent the night before at your gravesite. They were commemorating the first anniversary of your death. In words that I think are too raw and personal to share, I will just say, he was still deeply tormented with guilt and responsibility about your death. He believed that he had let you down in some way as your TO.

I was so new and inexperienced all I could go on was sheer emotion and empathy. Your Training Officer was so devastated, it was apparent. He loved you deeply. He missed you greatly. And in his pain he told me the complete story of your death. It absolutely rocked me.

I believe that that day was the first time I began to realize the extreme risks and sacrifices law enforcement take each day they "punch the clock". It changed me overnight. Yes, I was heartbroken at your lost, but I was also awed by your bravery.

Nelson, I know you did what instinct told you to do that night. DW should take no responsibility, I hope he realizes that by now. And I just want you to know that you are the main reason I completely embraced my job. It wasn't a paycheck after that day. It truly was a desire to do what was right.

I would have preferred to have known you in life.. I'd prefer you alive to have had the chance to complain to the WC that you didn't show up to Div. 69 when you were supposed to. Be that is it may, Nelson, in your tragic death, you changed someone completely. I thank you for that.

Deborah
LA Deputy District Attorney

November 21, 2006

I SAW DICK BUNNEL THE OTHER DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE YOUR PASSING ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO.HE WAS A PART OF YOUR OLD HOJJ POSSE. NONE OF US WHO KNEW YOU AT HOJJ WILL EVER FORGET YOU. A BOOK MUST BE WRITTEN ABOUT THOSE ESCAPADES. I TRIED TO CONVINCE YOU TO TAKE A MORE DELIBERATE PATH (I WAS 34 AND YOU WERE 26).I KNEW MY VINCIBILITY WHEREAS YOU WERE STILL INVINCIBLE. THAT LAST FEBRUARY NIGHT IN 92 WE LEFT HOJJ TOGETHER. YOU WERE TRANSFERRING TO CENTURY PATROL AND I TO BISCAILUZ CENTER. AS WE STOOD IN THE PARKING LOT,I ASKED YOU AGAIN. "NELSON ARE YOU SURE?" YOUR ANSWER AND THE ONLY CONSOLATION I HAVE HAD ALL THESE YEARS WAS YOUR REPLY. "MIKE I'M GOING TO GO OUT AND TRY. I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME FUN. IF I DON'T LIKE IT I CAN ALWAYS COME BACK." OF COURSE, YOU DID NOT COME BACK. YOU WERE DOING WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO.YOU TRIED TO COME BACK,FOUGHT TO COME BACK, IF ONLY FOR A BRIEF VISIT, BUT POWERS GREATER THAN ANY OF US WERE AT WORK. I MISS THE JOYFUL EXUBERANCE THAT YOU APPROACHED EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE. IN THE DAYS SINCE YOUR SACRIFICE YOUR LEGEND HAS GROWN: YOUR EXPLOITS IN THE WEIGHT ROOM TO THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU PERFOMED ON PATROL. YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED A HERO.UNFORTUNATELY AND SELFISHLY FOR THOSE OF US WHO MOURN THEM, TRUE HEROES HAVE TO DIE AND USUALLY AT A YOUNG AGE. NOT MANY GERIATRIC HEROES OUT THERE.I JUST WISH YOU WERE HERE WITH A WIFE AND KIDS AND ALL YOU LOOKED FORWARD TO. WE AT HOJJ HAD YOU ABOUT 4 YEARS. CENTURY HAD YOU FOR 6 WEEKS. IN LGHT OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO THAT STATION AND THAT COMMUNITY THEY CAME TO LOVE YOU.WE AT THE HALL LOVED YOU FROM THE BEGINNING AND NEVER STOPPED. NELSON, I KNOW YOU WILL NEVER READ THIS.BUT FOR THOSE WHO WILL I WANTED THEM TO KNOW WHAT MANNER OF MAN I KNEW YOU TO BE.

DEPUTY NICHAEL F. HARRIS
LA COUNTY SHERIFF

June 18, 2006

It has taken nearly 14 years for the final justice in your death to take place. At last Killer King has earned what they deserve. Your death should never have happend. Rest in Peace!

July 4, 2005

Let it never be said that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has forgotten its own. Your name is on our wall and will always be in hearts.

Rest in peace.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

September 2, 2004

God bless you,my brother! I'm brazilian officer ,in the line of duty !! I will follow your exemple!!!!

James justice Junior
Guarda Civil Metropolitana

July 3, 2004

rest easy blue angel

September 16, 2003

NELSON, I HADN'T BEEN TRAINING YOU LONG WHEN THE TRAGEDY OCCURRED. YOU ARE STILL THE BRAVEST DEPUTY I EVER WORKED WITH AND I WILL NEVER FORGET. YOU SAVED MY LIFE ALONG WITH DETECTIVE DAVID CARVER'S. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND MEMORIES. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF THE GREATEST STATION, "FIRESTONE". DAN

DETECTIVE DANIEL B WHITE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF

NELSON ITS BEEN ALMOST 10 YEARS TO THE DAY.I STILL REMEMBER YOUR MEMORIAL SERVICE LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD,AS THOUSANDS TURNED OUT ON THAT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DAY TO SAY GOOD BYE. REST IN PEACE BROTHER,AND GIVE SHERIFF SHERMAN BLOCK A PAT ON THE BACK FOR ME.

DEPUTY RON BUCHHOLZ
SANDOVAL CO SHERIFFS OFFICE/ (EX LASD LKD)