A Los Angeles Police Department sergeant who was killed when he and a motorist were struck on the San Diego (405) Freeway near Bel-Air was eulogized at his funeral Thursday as a selfless man who died in the act of service.
Sgt. Shiou Deng, 53, and 34-year-old Jesus Garcia were both killed around 2 a.m. June 23 on the southbound 405 just north of Moraga Drive.
Deng’s funeral was held Thursday morning at the Mausoleum deck at Forest Lawn-Covina Hills in Covina.
The fallen sergeant’s flag-draped casket was guarded by two uniformed officers on either side as officials praised Deng’s selfless efforts.
“Sergeant Deng lived his life the way most of us wish we could — with kindness, with humor, and with purpose,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. “He didn’t just do the job, he lifted up people doing it beside him. He made people laugh when they needed it most. He made them feel seen, valued and included.”
Mayor Karen Bass, who has praised Deng’s “heroic” actions, was also among those in attendance.
According to the California Highway Patrol, officers from the agency’s West Los Angeles office responded to the southbound freeway just north of Moraga Drive, initially in response to a single-vehicle crash.
“Officers found a Toyota pickup … disabled in the HOV and No. 1 lanes,” according to a CHP statement.
“Shortly after the crash, LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng arrived in a marked patrol vehicle with emergency lights activated and stopped behind the Toyota, partially blocking the same lanes. As Sgt. Deng exited his vehicle to assist … a Nissan sedan, driven by Mario Bickham, struck the patrol vehicle and then hit Sgt. Deng.”
Garcia, the driver of the Toyota, was standing outside his vehicle and was also struck. He died at the scene. Deng was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, where he was pronounced dead.
Bickham was also taken by ambulance to a hospital.
A GoFundMe page created by Garcia’s family described him as “a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend whose kindness and warmth touched everyone he met.”
According to McDonnell, Deng stopped to help after he noticed the serious crash. He activated his rear amber lights to slow traffic behind him.
The sergeant achieved his current rank two years ago and was assigned to the department’s West Los Angeles Division. Deng had 26 1/2 years on the LAPD, 17 of which he served in the LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit.
A speaker at the service offered comfort to Deng’s grieving wife, Candy.
“It is with heavy hearts we come with God among us and recognize your husband’s sacrifice,” he said.