Full Notification

On October 5^th, 1971 at around 10:05PM Officer Henry Acuna was on duty when he responded to a call of an armed robbery in progress at 2321 W. Beverly Blvd, West Beverly Liquor.  When Officer Acuna arrived the suspect was exiting the store.  The suspect was using an elderly woman as a shield. Officer Acuna withheld firing, at which time the suspect shot him.  Officer Acuna died as a result of the gunshot wound the next morning at around 2:45AM.

The suspect was apprehended a year later. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on July 26, 1973.  He was recently denied parole.

Before his law enforcement career Acuna attended San Gabriel High School where he received several awards in athletics.  He served in the United States Army for four years as a helicopter mechanic.  While with the Montebello Police Department he received several commendations for outstanding service to the community.

Officer Acuna was just 31 years of age when he died and had seven years on the job.  He is survived by his wife Jean, whom he married in 1963, daughters Kathy, Sandy, and son Joe. 

Officer Acuna is the only Montebello Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty.  Montebello Police Officer Jaime Carranza recalled meeting with Officer Acuna the evening of the robbery. Carranza recalled Acuna saying, "Why does anyone become a cop? That's the way people are. It takes a certain breed. I'll always be a cop."
Officer Acuna gave the ultimate sacrifice for choosing a career that he clearly believed was his destiny.  He will always be a cop and never forgotten.

In memory of Officer Henry Acuna, all Montebello Police Officers will wear a mourning band and on their badges beginning at Midnight on October 5^th and ending at Midnight on October 6^th.  The station flag will be lowered to half-mast during the same time period.