Funeral Honors LAPD Sgt. Deng, 405 Freeway Victim

A funeral service was held at Forest Lawn - Covina Hills Mausoleum for LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng, 53, who was killed on June 23 while assisting a stranded motorist on the 405 Freeway in Bel-Air. Deng, who had nearly 27 years of service and worked with the department’s Mental Evaluation Unit, stopped his marked patrol car with emergency lights to help at the scene of a disabled Toyota pickup. Both Deng and 34-year-old Jesus Garcia, the Toyota's driver, were fatally struck when a Nissan sedan, driven by Mario Bickham, hit them; Bickham was hospitalized. The incident closed the freeway for several hours. Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell attended the funeral, praising Deng's selflessness and compassion. Flags across Los Angeles and the State Capitol were flown at half-staff to honor his sacrifice, and both victims were remembered for their kindness and service.