LA County Sheriff's Dept. Raises Money For Former Colleague, Fallen Dallas Police Officer
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A fundraiser was held Tuesday for a former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, who was among the five police officers killed by a sniper in Dallas on July 7.
The event in honor of Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens of Dallas police took place at the South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station at 1310 West Imperial Highway.
"It's an emotional time," said Deputy Tim Crise, who worked with Ahrens in the '90s and described him as "kind and humble." "You may not see tears or emotion, but that comes later."
Ahrens grew up in Canoga Park and worked for the sheriff's department from 1991 until 2002, when he left to join the Dallas Police Department.
"He made an impact while he was here," Sheriff Jim McDonnell said. "We are one big family, and part of that family is here in South L.A. and reaching out to say 'thank you' for what he did."
Organizers sold tacos and bomber jackets to raise funds also in support of the Dallas Police Department.
"It could have happened to our community. It could have happened to us," Crise said. "As much as I think people see us as a uniform, there's human being in this uniform."
Some of those who knew Ahrens best couldn't be at the fundraiser because they are in Dallas for his funeral.
The department has also sent a color guard to Dallas in his honor.