Police Chief Charlie Beck Monday urged Angelenos to buckle up, noting that three LAPD officers were killed on this date 28 years ago when two patrol cars collided in the downtown area.
“We had one of our worst days as a department,” Beck tweeted this morning in recalling that two patrol cars collided at Fifth and Wall streets about 4 a.m. on Dec. 12, 1988, while the officers were responding to a crime scene.
“Fifth and Wall serves as a reminder of the importance of wearing seat belts and driving safely,” Beck said.
Killed that day were officers David L. Hofmeyer, Manuel Gutierrez and Derrick C. Connor. A fourth officer who was in one of the vehicles — the only officer who was wearing a seat belt — survived the collision.
The names of the fatally injured officers are listed on signs posted above the Wall Street sign on a utility pole at the intersection.
