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Gunman Kills Three Oakland, Calif. Officers, Wounds Fourth
By TERRY COLLINS and LISA LEFF
Associated Press Writers
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- A police officer was battling for his life and three more were dead after a parolee with an "extensive criminal history" opened fire at a routine traffic stop and hours later gunned down members of a SWAT team searching for him.
The gunman was also killed Saturday, capping a day of violence that the Oakland Police Department said was the worst in its history. Never before had three police officers died in the line of duty on the same day.
"It's in these moments that words are extraordinarily inadequate," said Mayor Ron Dellums at a somber news conference Saturday night.
The mayhem began that afternoon, when two motorcycle patrol officers stopped a 1995 Buick sedan in east Oakland, Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason said. The driver opened fire, killing Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, and gravely wounding Officer John Hege, 41.
The gunman then fled on foot, police said, leading to an intense manhunt by dozens of Oakland police, California Highway Patrol officers and Alameda County sheriff deputies. Streets were roped off and an entire area of east Oakland closed to traffic.
About two hours later, officers got an anonymous tip that the gunman was inside a nearby apartment building.
A SWAT team had entered an apartment to clear and search it when the gunman shot them with an assault rifle, police said.
Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35, were killed and a third officer was grazed by a bullet, police said.
SWAT team members returned fire, killing 26-year-old Lovelle Mixon of Oakland, Acting Oakland police Chief Howard Jordan said.
Officer Hege suffered brain damage and may not survive, his father, Dr. John S. Hege, said late Saturday.
"It is a stunning thing to face," he said.
Grieving officers at the police station hugged and consoled each other. People left four bouquets of white roses under a granite memorial wall inside the building lobby that lists 47 officers killed in the line of duty. The wall shows the last officer killed in Oakland was in January of 1999.
Police said Mixon wielded two different weapons. One gun was used at the first scene and an assault rifle was used at the apartment building where he was hiding.
Jordan said Mixon had an "extensive criminal history" and was wanted on a no-bail warrant.
"(Mixon) was on parole and he had a warrant out for his arrest for violating that parole. And he was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon," said Oakland police Deputy Chief Jeffery Israel.
Police said they did not know exactly why the officers initially stopped the suspect, but said it apparently was a routine traffic stop.
People lingered at the scene of the first shooting. About 20 bystanders taunted police.
Tension between police and the community has risen steadily since the fatal shooting of unarmed 22-year-old Oscar Grant by a transit police officer at an Oakland train station on Jan. 1.
That former Bay Area Rapid Transit officer, Johannes Mehserle, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday. Violent protests erupted on the streets of Oakland in the weeks after Grant's death, further inflaming tensions.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger planned to fly to Oakland on Sunday from Washington, D.C., to meet with police and Mayor Dellums, the govenor's office said.
___
Associated Press writer Tim Reiterman contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writers
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- A police officer was battling for his life and three more were dead after a parolee with an "extensive criminal history" opened fire at a routine traffic stop and hours later gunned down members of a SWAT team searching for him.
This is an undated photo combo of images released by the Oakland Police Department of Oakland Police officers from left: Sgt. Mark Dunakin, Officer John Hege, Sgt. Daniel Sakai and Sgt. Ervin Romans. A man wanted for violating his parole killed three police officers and gravely wounded Hege during the in two shootings Saturday, March 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Oakland Police Department)
Unidentified law enforcement officials embrace outside the emergency entrance to Highland Hospital in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 21, 2009 after four Oakland police officers were shot by a suspect who was pulled over for a traffic stop. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
The gunman was also killed Saturday, capping a day of violence that the Oakland Police Department said was the worst in its history. Never before had three police officers died in the line of duty on the same day.
"It's in these moments that words are extraordinarily inadequate," said Mayor Ron Dellums at a somber news conference Saturday night.
The mayhem began that afternoon, when two motorcycle patrol officers stopped a 1995 Buick sedan in east Oakland, Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason said. The driver opened fire, killing Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, and gravely wounding Officer John Hege, 41.
The gunman then fled on foot, police said, leading to an intense manhunt by dozens of Oakland police, California Highway Patrol officers and Alameda County sheriff deputies. Streets were roped off and an entire area of east Oakland closed to traffic.
About two hours later, officers got an anonymous tip that the gunman was inside a nearby apartment building.
A SWAT team had entered an apartment to clear and search it when the gunman shot them with an assault rifle, police said.
Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35, were killed and a third officer was grazed by a bullet, police said.
SWAT team members returned fire, killing 26-year-old Lovelle Mixon of Oakland, Acting Oakland police Chief Howard Jordan said.
Officer Hege suffered brain damage and may not survive, his father, Dr. John S. Hege, said late Saturday.
"It is a stunning thing to face," he said.
Grieving officers at the police station hugged and consoled each other. People left four bouquets of white roses under a granite memorial wall inside the building lobby that lists 47 officers killed in the line of duty. The wall shows the last officer killed in Oakland was in January of 1999.
Police said Mixon wielded two different weapons. One gun was used at the first scene and an assault rifle was used at the apartment building where he was hiding.
Jordan said Mixon had an "extensive criminal history" and was wanted on a no-bail warrant.
"(Mixon) was on parole and he had a warrant out for his arrest for violating that parole. And he was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon," said Oakland police Deputy Chief Jeffery Israel.
Police said they did not know exactly why the officers initially stopped the suspect, but said it apparently was a routine traffic stop.
People lingered at the scene of the first shooting. About 20 bystanders taunted police.
Tension between police and the community has risen steadily since the fatal shooting of unarmed 22-year-old Oscar Grant by a transit police officer at an Oakland train station on Jan. 1.
That former Bay Area Rapid Transit officer, Johannes Mehserle, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday. Violent protests erupted on the streets of Oakland in the weeks after Grant's death, further inflaming tensions.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger planned to fly to Oakland on Sunday from Washington, D.C., to meet with police and Mayor Dellums, the govenor's office said.
___
Associated Press writer Tim Reiterman contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by tom on
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My prays are with the brothers and sister and my prays are with the family of the officer i am sorry to see that a two yr die because of this person may you rest in peace you not be forgotten
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Permalink Reply by Wheelman on
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My prayers go out to the families and the department of the fallen Heros. As a motor officer, I know that there are no routine traffic stops, but no matter how much a you prepair for each stop you make, it can happen so quick. Our liberal society has created this "monster" of lets rehabilitate the criminals. Yesterday, unfortunately the dirtbag killed some of Americas Finest, before the police "rehabilitated" him. May they rest in peace!!
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Permalink Reply by OSCAR R. CANCIO on
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It is so sad, We often take for granted that law enforcement not only protects our citizens but they also provide protection to EMS and FF's as well to, Prayer to all the family of the hero's taken from us.. The brave Policemen who put it out there to protect us, from the brothers of Hemosillo Sonora Mexico.
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Permalink Reply by Brenda on
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My prayers go out to all 4 families and the other members of their team....A terrible loss....
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Permalink Reply by wampa on
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Dios Cuide de Los Oficiales y a sus Familias , ayudando a sentir desde Chile Regars From Chile Brother.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Hendershot on
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My Prayers go out to the families of these officers and to the Oakland PD.
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Permalink Reply by Spartacus on
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With all due respect, this forum is called "firefighter nation, not "public safety officer nation."
While I don't know these individuals, and I certainly don't wish them any ill, I'm obliged to say that the nature of police-work and the nature of fire/rescue/ems work have very little in common.
For example, firefighters very seldom break into a house and assault and kill the inhabitants.
These two occupations require quite different breeds.
There is a reason that most people LIKE firefighters and DON'T like cops.
I don't carry a gun, a club, a taser, pepper spray or handcuffs.
I'm not there to take away your life, your liberty or your property.
You're into something illegal?
I really don't care unless it immediately jeopardizes my safety or my team's.
There are times when fire/rescue/EMS and law enforcement intersect, to be sure.
But I'm not a cop, don't want to be mistaken for one, and while I may have no particular personal enmity for law enforcement, nor do I have any particular kinship.
How many volunteer cops do you know, anyway?
Just my opinion.
sj
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Permalink Reply by George Frankenfield on
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I do not know what else to say. May GOD BLESS these officers and their families.
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Permalink Reply by Kirk D. Baughman on
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prayers go out to the familys of those brave police officers. prayers go out for the oakland police department for thr loss of their family.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon J on
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My thoughts and prayers goes out to our HEROS that were slain. All of these men were someones, son, brother, uncle, cousin, father, friend, husband and to their wives....BEST FRIEND!!! I am not a firefighter but my sons are and they are my sons brothers....May GOD help us all through this....
"Lord, Please hold these mens families as well as their fellow brothers in your arms and give them all the comfort they need. In your name Amen"
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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God be with them!
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Permalink Reply by Kevin W. Smith on
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I hate it when things like this happen to people who are working hard to protect others. It's not right, and I ache with grief for the families left behind. I will keep them in my prayers as well.
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