Thursday Morning Funeral for LAPD Officer Spree Desha

I do not understand why they have to close large areas and inconvenience people who are trying to get to work. I am very sorry about officer Desha’s death, as well as everyone else in that horrible crash. However having a honorable funeral does not require blocking access to the freeways for large numbers of people or closing streets for so many hours.

I also want to state that it is terrible what happened to the officer as well as everyone else on that train. However, the officer did not die heroically in the line of duty but was off duty. Even if in the line of duty, these funerals give the impression that officers are of a higher status compared to civilians such as the other passengers that died on the train.

Andrea, Anyone who lives near the Staples Center, the Dodger Stadium, the Angel’s Stadium, the Honda Center or any other venue that holds events such as the Oscars, etc are all too familiar with having to deal with road closures and detours. I’d recommend that if you need to travel to and from work the morning of the funeral to have a Plan B in mind.

This officer’s funeral is not for entertainment as the above locales may suggest. It is an honorable funeral as you have mentioned. The City is hurting right now and we most unfortunately have 20+ more funerals to go.

May the heavens enjoy the presence of that fine woman who did her job to protect and serve the citizens of the city of Los Angeles. She will be missed.

Condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the horrible tragic event and all honors to a fallen police officer of this city. She died a hero because she was a police officer. We lose much when we lose one.

First off, my condolences go out to all the family and friends who lost loved ones in this tragic accident.

I do have a few concerns below.

Can someone tell me if tax dollars were used to fund this funeral or was it union or private funds?

If it was tax payer money, will the other deceased passengers receive the same funding and use of city assets if their family members desire it?

I really don’t think that a person job makes there life more important than anyone elses. We have military men dieing everyday in the line of duty. Do we even here their name mentioned on the news? Most of the time we hear, “23 US military died in a car bomb attack today” That’s it!

EVERYONE who died on that train was important and did something to make this country what it is today.

to comment on Tornadoes28’s comment, The job of a police officer IS an honorable position. The have made a commitment to protect and serve the public and place themselves before us in dangerous situations. They are not just heros from 9-5. I have two kids and work 8 hours a day, I am still a mother while I am at work. Police officers have a special bond and consider eachother family. Her family is just providing her with the respect she so deserves. I am not stating she is more important than any other person who passed on the train, I am just saying she cared enough to serve her community, and that is honorable 24/7.

I just wanted to make a statement in regards to Officer Desha not dying in the line of duty. Officer Desha DID die in the line of duty. She was riding the Metrolink as a uniformed officer, and as such, provided protection to the citizens riding the train.

Since she did die in the line of duty, yes, the department probably does pay for it – probably similar to what the military would do by giving a military funeral or at least a memorial.

Yes, everyone is important. If anything, I think the Metrolink should be paying for the funerals of everyone who perished. I also think that LAPD is awesome for taking care of their own. More companies should be like that.

I can only say that I was blessed to have met Spree. I am also glad that the department stepped up and paid for her services. But this is not about street closures or money, She was a police officer on duty and was honored as such. She is in good hands and we will all miss you Spree.

To All,

Thanks for the updates and education on how this might work. I also find it great that she was honored in this way and hope the remaining victims get a great send off too. I hope Metrolink will step up and make it happen. Thanks again

I am a Los Angeles Police Officer, a past resident of downtown Los Angeles, and most important of all, I have personally worked with Spree. Having said this, I am repulsed and ashamed by the uncommonly callous and self serving posts that have appeared above.

But to put petty concerns to rest, yes, WE (the officers in the form of the LAPPL, LAPRA and other such organizations) pay for the funeral. Yes, providing security in uniform on the train is an on duty activity wherein officers and deputies are commonly asked to take police action. Finally, yes, everyone is equally important (it is distressing that anyone would consider otherwise).

Frankly, I am offended that anyone would cheapen any one of their deaths with petty/self centered concerns like traffic inconveniences, or the fact that there was press coverage.

How about just saying thank you to all of the victims for their friendship, sacrifices, or the honor of having served or worked with you, and keep it as positive as it can be considering the circumstances?

Wow is all I can say…no wait I do have more.

Let me get this right. There are some of you individuals that are more concerned about making some adjustments in your schedule with prior conflicts being pointed out than helping to pay respect to a fallen Police Officer who happened to not be on duty while she was killed. Get over it people.

What happened to the good old days, when school children would have been lining the streets waiving the good old American Flag? I’ll bet if your favorite band, sports team or politician where the cause of the inconvenience you would have a different feeling especially if you thought that you could run into them.

I did not know Officer Spree nor do I live in California—but I’ll bet she would have protected you while she was “off duty”…not on the clock.

Also as far as who pays for it…well we pay for support illegal’s and people who want to steal money that are on welfare and shouldn’t be, so why not pay for someone that actually chooses to protect and to serve?

I should only hope that the individuals that wrote the nasty comments never need help from anyone, because I doubt that they would appreciate it…they would only expect it.

By the way..nice place to air your selfish thoughts, I’m sure that what you wrote is something that any fallen Police Officers family would hold near and dear to their heart & love to read and appreciate, now and later on. Way to go!!!

In closing I just want to say thank you to all public servents and there are many who do support my view.

shame on you andrea! how dare you complain about the streets being closed while honoring a fallen Police Officer.

Im sure if someone in your family died, you would want the world to stop and pay honor to them and you would loved for the goverment to pay for their funeral.

I hope you get fired from work for being late, thats the least i wish for someone like you and everyone else that made those ridiculos comments.

I know for a fact that if any of you was in that train and see her in uniform, you would expect her to help you, how dare you say she didnt die in the line of duty.

My condolences to Officer Gerritsen, her family and all the members of the LAPD

On duty…off duty…on duty…off duty. It really makes no difference. All police officers are obligated by their oath to act regardless of their duty status. It was very obvious this officer was in uniform, so even if this argument mattered that would be all the evidence you should need. I know those making comments about traffic delays meant no demeaning harm, however the timing could have been a little better. It was disrespectful to the law enforcement community, but we’ll get over it :)

Thanks for understanding Eric. I do not think it speaks about the officer or her death to ask about street closures. Those who live downtown are inconvenienced with street closures all the time and that is why it is an issue, it has nothing to do with this particular funeral.

I am not even going to validate the comments about my family by adding to that. As for my job, I was on time to teach all my classes that day and hopefully a few young americans will benefit from that (probably no illegals though, I do not think they get to register for college). Is illegal a noun?