Friends, Colleagues Remember Fallen Officer
PACOIMA (CBS) — Family, friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of a 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department who died in a crash Downtown.
Jesus Ravega, 48, known as 'Jessie' to family and friends, was driving northbound on the 101 Freeway near the 110 when he lost control of his motorcycle and was run over by a truck Friday morning.
He died a short time later at County-USC Medical Center, leaving behind a wife and three children.
"I was in disbelief. I was at the hospital with his wife, Jeannette, and I just could not believe what we were hearing because up to that point we didn't realize that he was that seriously injured. I don't think any of us were aware of that so it came out of leftfield," family friend and spokesman Alex Gonzalez told CBS2.
Ravega was considered a legend at the LAPD Foothill Station, and a hero amongst his family and friends. His death sent shockwaves through the department where he was a respected detective in the Elite Gang Unit.
"Many, many partners are gonna miss him very, very much. He was a decorated detective, worked one of our toughest gang units and did a magnificent job at it. I'm going to miss him personally and the department's going to miss him greatly," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said.
"Jess was always a gentleman. He's a solid Christian. He's a firm believer in God and that's the way he lived his life. He was a Godly husband, a Godly dad and he was a Godly cop," Gonzalez added.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
RELATED POSTS:
» Coroner ID's Off-Duty Officer Killed In Crash Downtown
