Signs honoring two slain Compton Police Department officers were on a nearly one-mile stretch of the Long Beach (710) Freeway in Compton Sunday.
The signs designating the portion of the freeway between the Artesia (91) Freeway and Alondra Boulevard as the Kevin Michael Burrell and James Wayne MacDonald Memorial Highway were unveiled Saturday in a ceremony at the Dollarhide Community Center with their relatives in attendance.
Burrell and MacDonald were patrol car partners on Feb. 22, 1993 when they were shot and killed by a violent gang member during a traffic stop at the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Dwight Avenue in Compton, according to Assemblyman Mike A. Gibson, D-Carson, who introduced the resolution renaming the stretch of the freeway for them.
Burrell “realized that being a police officer meant more than just making arrests,” Gibson said. “He possessed a level of unparalleled compassion and understanding, taking advantage of every opportunity to help those less fortunate.”
MacDonald “was admired by his peers, had an amazing personality, and, although he was only required to work two shifts per month, chose to work two shifts per week,” Gibson said.
Burrell was MacDonald’s favorite partner to ride with, Gibson said.
Burrell was 29 and MacDonald was 24.
Also unveiled Saturday was a sign designating the overcrossing over the freeway at Alondra Boulevard as the Dess K. Phipps Memorial Overcrossing for the Compton Police Department officer killed during a high-speed chase on Oct. 12, 1962 at the age of 37.
The Compton Police Department was the law enforcement agency for the city of Compton until it was disbanded by the City Council in 2000. From that point forward, the Compton City Council has contracted with the County of Los Angeles for law enforcement services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
–City News Service and staff contributed to this report