Torrance PD Memorial Ceremony being held on 05-15-14, to remember our fallen Officers
The Torrance Police Department will be holding a Memorial Ceremony to honor the four Torrance Officers that have died in the line of duty. During this ceremony, family members of current officers as well as family members of our fallen officers attend a respectful remembrance where children of current officers, along with members of the Torrance Police Department Honor Guard, participate in this event. The ceremony will take place at the Toyota Meeting Hall- 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, Thursday, May 15th, 10AM-11AM.
The following are the four Torrance Police Officers that have died in the line of duty:
Sergeant William Robert Lewis
Tragedy struck the Torrance Police Department on Sunday, August 23, 1959 when we lost our first officer in the line of duty. Motorcycle Sergeant William Lewis was killed while riding his police motorcycle and attempting to stop a traffic violator. He was struck by a vehicle in the intersection of Hawthorne Blvd and Carson Street. There were no traffic signals at the intersection at the time.
Officer David Noel Siebert
The Torrance Police Department lost our second officer in the line of duty when David Seibert was killed on Thursday, August 10, 1967. Officer Seibert had responded to a silent robbery alarm at the Foods Co. market located at 17500 Crenshaw Blvd at 9:25 in the morning. Unbeknownst to him, an actual robbery by an escaped convict was taking place inside the store. Officer Seibert entered the market and was confronted by the suspect who shot him. The suspect fled the location but was captured near Salt Lake City, Utah two weeks later. On February 22, 1968, a jury found the suspect guilty of the first degree murder of Officer Seibert.
Officer Gary Elton Rippstein
The Torrance Police Department lost our third officer in the line of duty when Detective Gary Rippstein was shot by an auto theft suspect on Saturday, December 21, 1968. At approximately 10:25 am that morning, Detective Rippstein and his partner, Detective Bob Holmes, attempted to arrest the suspect at his apartment in the 600 block of 8th Street in the City of Hermosa Beach. The detectives were invited inside the apartment by the wife, but upon entering the bedroom, were fired upon by the suspect. Officer Rippstein was struck one time. Detective Holmes and responding Hermosa Beach PD officers returned fire and killed the suspect. Officer Rippstein was taken to South Bay District Hospital in Redondo Beach where he succumbed to his injury on Sunday, December 22, 1968.
Officer Thomas Joseph Keller
The fourth and last officer we have lost in the line of duty was Officer Tom Keller. He was shot on Thursday, April 17, 1986 after responding to an armed robbery call in the downtown area. The suspect had entered the Torrance Sport Shop at 1421 Marcelina Ave at approximately 3:45 PM and displayed a handgun. Employees and customers were able to flee the store and call police. Unbeknownst to responding officers the suspect had armed himself with an M-1 Carbine rifle that the storekeeper kept for protection. As officers arrived, the suspect exited the store with the rifle in his hand. Officers ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, but the suspect retreated into the store. The suspect then took up position behind the counter and opened fire from inside the store. Officer Keller was struck by the gunfire. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect several times.
When Torrance Police Department's SWAT team arrived on scene, an entry into the store was made where they found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officer Keller succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
We also honor:
Crossing Guard Hazel Kenney, who was struck in a crosswalk by a motor vehicle on December 17, 1986. She was the mother of Torrance Police Officer John Sibley.
We will never forget the sacrifice made by our fallen heroes
and the families left behind.
Provided By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
Address/Location
Torrance Police Department
3300 Civic Center Dr
Torrance, CA 90503
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 310-328-3456