Feb 14, 2008 3:23 am US/Pacific
Mourners Line Up To Pay Respects To Randy Simmons
LOS ANGELES
Hundreds of mourners lined up outside a Torrance church Thursday to say goodbye to police Officer Randy Simmons, the first member of the LAPD's SWAT team killed in the line of duty.
Simmons was killed last week in a gun battle with a man inside a Winnetka home.
When the viewing began at 11 a.m., when a line of friends and colleagues formed to stretch around the building. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles police Chief William Bratton were expected to attend this afternoon. The viewing will continue until 8 p.m. at the church, 225 W. Torrance Blvd.
Funeral services for Simmons, who was killed early on Feb. 7, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the Crenshaw Christian Faith Dome, 7901 S. Vermont Ave., with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. LAPD officials said they expect an overflow crowd at the funeral, which could be the largest LAPD funeral since the 1966 funeral of Chief William H. Parker.
Simmons, 51, spent more than 20 years on the SWAT team and was active in the community, working with at-risk children and driving them to church services.
Simmons was shot and killed by 20-year-old Edwin Rivera, who gunned down three relatives and then called 911, bringing officers to his home. Simmons, one of several officers who stormed the residence, was shot in the head. Another officer, James Veenstra, 51, was shot in the face but survived and is recovering.
Two other officers suffered minor injuries.
Simmons is survived by his wife, 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
Veenstra has been released from the hospital and is expected to attend Simmons' funeral.
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