In the early hours of Monday, a longtime public servant was killed during what would become his last act of service on a Los Angeles freeway.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Shiou Deng of the Los Angeles Police Department was killed on June 23, 2025, while assisting a stranded driver on the southbound 405 Freeway. His death has sparked widespread mourning across the city and law enforcement community, with tributes pouring in for the highly respected veteran officer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The inciden<\/u>t unfolded just before 2 a.m. near Getty Center in West Los Angeles when a Toyota pickup truck lost control and crashed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another car swerved to avoid the wreck and struck the center divider. Responding to the scene, Sergeant Deng, who was in his patrol SUV, activated his emergency lights and pulled over to help.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As he exited his vehicle to reach the pickup driver, who was out of his vehicle already, both men were struck by an oncoming car. The truck driver was killed instantly. Deng was transported by ambulance to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meanwhile, a rescue helicopter had landed on the freeway but was not used. The collision brought traffic to a complete halt, and the southbound lanes remained closed well into the morning commute before reopening early that afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n City officials quickly confirmed the officer’s identity and paid tribute to his service. In a press conference, Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences and emphasized the risks officers face daily.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “Sgt. Deng’s last act was one of service \u2014 putting the safety and wellbeing of others above all else,” she\u00a0said<\/u>, highlighting his decades of dedication to the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell also spoke to news outlets, confirming that Deng had been trying to help the crash victim when he was struck. “He died a hero,” McDonnell\u00a0said<\/u>. “He was out there helping others.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Additionally, the chief\u00a0said<\/u> that Deng was “a deeply respected leader” whose passing was “immeasurable” for both the department and the wider community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a written statement posted online, McDonnell\u00a0said<\/u>\u00a0Deng was “tragically killed” and reflected on the late officer’s character and legacy, citing his 26 years of honorable service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He also\u00a0described<\/u> Deng as a man of “integrity, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to public service.” Officials promised continued support for his family and stated that memorial details would be released in the coming days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As news of Deng’s death spread, tributes poured in both offline and online. A\u00a0police procession<\/u>\u00a0was held to escort Deng’s body from the hospital to the coroner’s office, drawing participation from the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Fire Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Councilwoman Traci Park shared footage from the event, describing the collective grief and unity displayed by first responders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n