Today is a solemn day for the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA) as we remember Officer Tommy Scott, who was killed in the line of duty on this day 16 years ago. Scott was killed after stopping a suspicious man in a vehicle near the fence line at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The pedestrian commandeered Scott’s patrol car on Lincoln Boulevard, dragging Scott alongside as the officer struggled to regain control of the steering wheel. The man eventually hit a fire hydrant, killing Scott. Scott heroically protected the aviation community from a man intent on crashing a vehicle into an airplane on an LAX runway. He was the first LAX police officer to die in the line of duty. 

 

This year, with National Police Week two weeks away (May 9–15), the annual in-person tributes held for officers such as Scott won’t be possible due to COVID-19 restrictions. To commemorate and never forget that Scott died in the line of duty carrying out his oath to protect the public, California State Senator Ben Allen has introduced the Officer Tommy Scott Memorial Highway Bill. The measure would designate a portion of Interstate Highway Route 405 as the Officer Tommy Scott Memorial Highway. The bill would also request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources covering that cost, erect those signs.

 

“The peace officers and members of LAAPOA are thankful to State Senator Ben Allen and his staff for introducing Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 (SCR-39 Officer Tommy Scott Memorial Highway). This legislation serves to preserve the memory of Officer Scott,” LAAPOA President Marshall McClain says. “It is moving to see that we have legislators in California who recognize and value law enforcement officers, who work every day with the knowledge that they are on the front lines and may sacrifice their lives for their noble profession.

 

“During times like these, it is important that we continue to memorialize those who have given their last full measure of devotion and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities,” McClain continues. “God continue to bless the family of Officer Scott, State Senator Ben Allen, the officers of LAAPOA and all peace officers who continue to fight the good fight without recognition every day. May they always be remembered and appreciated.”