That flag was probably poised to be used for some VIP or ceremonial duty, and probably just happened to be in the car of one of the arriving cops when they got there.

Each patrol station flies and American Flag, California Flag, and the Agency Flag (if one exists). The stations typically have more than one flag, and I'll bet an officer from the station retrieved it. As far as the shovel goes, tow trucks typically have shovels and other misc tools so they can clean up after a collision.

Stay safe gents, David

These officers understand the risk they take in their general duties. Nonetheless it is inexcusable what happened to this officer. If the suspects are found to be directly responsible for this officer's death they should get the chair. I don't place this officer on the pedestal. If they had done this to any other motorist and found directly responsible I would say the same thing. We are the police and they are us, and equally as valuable.

There's a shovel on every accident scene to spread kitty litter, clean up glass, etc...

RIP and condolences to the family.

R.I.P. very sad...

The report is a little confusing.

It says there was a big rig involved then the suspects in the focus crashed and ran?

Am I reading that right?

Guess I'm just left wondering why the need for the flag and solemn curb side ceremony. If it were my husband's remains, I'd want them picked up off the street rather than used for a photo op.

If it was my husband I would want the body to stay there as long it took the investigators to properly investigate the incident. If that meant it to be covered up with a blanket or a sheet or maybe a flag, that would be respectful of both the officer and others. And if a few other officers came to pay their respects I would think that just might be okay.

A photo op - like its staged and the officers left the body there for their benefit- what a classless and clueless comment.

RIP Officer Coleman

Totally offensive comment. That was a great photo of a very tragic and unnecessary event. These officers are actually out for our good trying to keep the crazy SoCal population safe. The bastard that hit the officer on the 405/National last week was doing something totally wrong. That officer has 27 years on and my bro is proud to have been working with him patrolling that stretch of treacherous freeway. I exit the freeway each morning one off ramp prior to National and know that the 405 NB from Sepulveda to the 10 is out of control. Some jack ass needs to get to work before everyone else so he has to speed up the shoulder to bypass traffic and ends up ending the life of an honorable civil servant and an innocent citizen (AFAIK the officer is still on life support at UCLA). Either leave your house earlier or get off the damn freeway. Don't rush and be fricken stupid. Murder is not worth it.

I wouldn't say it this way, BUT thanks for saying it.......Those that have never lost a good friend in the work place under similar circumstances will never be able to comprehend........

FYI - there is a CHP station a couple mile from the scene of the accident. The car he was chasing crashed in a separate accident shortly after, a couple blocks away.

When I first heard his body was still on the ground hours after the accident my first thought was that they shouldn't leave him laying in the street. But, apparently they had to in order to complete the investigation, which will no doubt be used to prosecute the human waste that was in the Focus.

So, since they had to leave him there, what better than to drape his body with a flag, gather around, and pray for his family. There was a video on ktla.com of his fellow officers saluting his body as it was loaded into the coroner's van.

Oops, didn't mean to interfere with your cop worship. Please carry on.

Wow, so you have an issue with cops, Leland? I'd think that you'd have the basic decency to stay out of a thread like this in that case.

What's the point? Other than being a dick?

Sad event.

But I do have a problem with laying the American Flag on the ground.

NEVER, should it be on the ground like that.

Wow. What a dick. I was appreciating not worshiping. What a cold response. I don't care if he was a cop, trash hauler, meter maid or crossing guard. Sad tragedy that was avoidable, now these families have to go on without their dad, husband, brother...etc...

Hehehe.

I've met Leeland in person, he's a really nice guy. By no means is he what i'd call a dick. But I do agree the tragedy was avoidable as well. So do many (most?) large departments, where high speed pursuits for minor traffic infractions are prohibited.

I do not think that a motorcycle cop that loses control and plows into a passing motorist at triple digit speeds, over a traffic violation, is really "keeping us safe."

Again, many if not most big departments have banned high speed chases for minor traffic offenses for a reason. The risk just absolutely exceeds the "reward."

As this case has demonstrated yet again.

At any rate, RIP to the cop, who was after all just doing his job when he became an out of control 100+ mph 900lb steel, rubber and flesh missile on a public highway, in the guise of "keeping us safe," by initiating that pursuit.

Thank god he didn't take any other innocent bystanders with him....as often happens.

I do agree the idiot that tried to run should have THE ENTIRE BOOK thrown at him. Ultimately, it is his fault all of this happened.

I was by and large referencing the Officer who got drilled by a jerk flying up the shoulder of the 405 Last week. 405 crash causes Westside traffic nightmare; CHP officer seriously hurt | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

No one wins in inner city high speed chases and I don't think they should happen. But I feel compassion for anyone involved in a wreck that ensues.

Me too, it's not supposed to be used in that manner.

No disrespect to the dead officer but that is a no-no. There are very specific guidelines for displaying the American flag.

There was also a pursuit with a tragic ending involving the LAPD on Thursday. The car being chased failed to make a sharp corner and hit small children playing on a sidewalk. A 6 y.o. girl got creamed, killed instantly.

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-lapd-pursuit-20100611-m,0,1995744.story


Not a good week for police pursuits in Los Angeles. :(

OK, gotcha.

Then we are in total agreement on all counts except for Leeland being a dick.

In person he is very quiet, unassuming and soft spoken.

Ok, very well. Consider my unnecessary comment rescinded...