By Rick Coca
The Daily News
Copyright 2008 Tower Media, Inc.
RESEDA, Calif. — Police Chief William Bratton and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa thanked Los Angeles police officers from the West Valley station Tuesday for their heroism during last week’s bloody shootout in Winnetka that left five dead, including one SWAT officer.
At a somber roll call attended by about 30 LAPD officers and a handful of Los Angeles Fire Department officers, Bratton praised their response.
``So many of you the other night contributed so much — bravery, heroism. ... Thank you for all you did that night and thank you for all you do day in and day out.’'
While West Valley officers helped pull wounded Special Weapons and Tactics Officers James Veenstra and Randal Simmons out of the house, firefighters and paramedics also put themselves in the line of fire to retrieve the fallen officers.
Simmons died from his wounds and Veenstra was critically injured with a bullet wound to his jaw.
``You always dread the call that you’ve lost one of the city’s family members,’' Villaraigosa said. But the mayor added he ``couldn’t be prouder’’ of the way firefighters and police worked together to save lives that night.
Bratton said Veenstra is expected to make a full recovery and will not require any further surgery.
The tragedy began late Feb. 6 on Welby Way when 20-year-old Edwin Rivera shot and killed his father, Gerardo Rivera, 54, and his brothers Endi Rivera, 25, and Edgar Rivera, 21.
Rivera then called a 911 dispatcher around 9 p.m., saying he had shot three family members, before adding, ``Come get me,’' police said.
Sometime after midnight, fearful that there might be hostages still alive inside the home, West Valley police were preparing to storm the house when SWAT units showed up. Within 15 minutes, SWAT officers had entered the house and Simmons and Veenstra were shot by Rivera, police said.
Rivera was shot dead by a sniper’s bullet about 7:30 a.m. Thursday when he came outside after the house caught fire.
Veenstra was transported to L.A. County-USC Medical Center on Tuesday after a stay at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Veenstra had surgery on his shattered jaw Thursday morning. He’s expected to be released from the hospital today or Thursday.
Earlier, Bratton said that Veenstra was going to do everything within his power to attend Simmon’s funeral Friday. The two 51-year-old men had worked together on SWAT for 20 years.
Simmons leaves behind a wife, Lisa, and two teenage children. Veenstra’s wife, Michelle Veenstra, is an LAPD captain.
A viewing for Simmons will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Glory Christian Fellowship International Church, 225. W. Torrance Blvd., Carson. Funeral services are to be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Crenshaw Christian Faith Dome, 7901 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City.
Simmons was remembered Tuesday as being a ``mountain of a man’’ who always made time for children, other officers and anyone who needed help.
Councilman Bernard Parks, who served as chief of police when Simmons worked on SWAT, recalled him as a man dedicated to his work and his church.
``I used to tease him about how much he worked out, but it was an example of his dedication,’' Parks said. ``He took the job seriously and was responsible for saving countless lives over the years.’'
Staff Writer Rick Orlov contributed to this story.