It is with great sadness and regret that the Los Angeles Police Department announced the death of 53 year-old Deputy Chief Kenneth O Garner, Commanding Officer, South Bureau.  Deputy Chief Garner passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 1 at his home. He was one of the LAPD's highest-ranking black officers, who was in charge of recruitment when the department began adding personnel. Deputy Chief Garner served the LAPD for over 30 years.

The cause of death was not immediately revealed, although longtime friend Carl McGill, president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles County Inc., said he thought it might have been a heart attack. An autopsy is pending. Sgt. Ronnie Cato, president of the Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, a grassroots organization consisting of black police officers, said Garner had called in sick about three days prior to his death.

“Deputy Chief Kenny Garner was a committed public servant who dedicated his career to protecting the city of Los Angeles,” stated Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “He worked to ensure the safety of his community and L.A. is a better place because of his service. Maria and I join all Californians in sending our deepest condolences to Kenny’s family, friends and fellow officers as they mourn this significant loss.”
 
Los Angeles Urban League CEO Blair Hamilton Taylor released a statement today regarding the passing of Garner.  “I am quite literally in shock about the sudden and tragic loss of LAPD’s Deputy Chief Kenny Garner.  Kenny was one of the most thoughtful and capable men in this city.  He was a beacon of light and hope for so many of us who admired him on both a personal and professional level.  Los Angeles has many prominent people, but very few real community heroes.  Kenny was one of our city’s greatest heroes.  He served as a powerful role model for so many people – particularly for African American males, and he always stood as an example of what high integrity, hard work, and a caring heart can achieve in this life. 

Taylor’s statement also included comments regarding how Deputy Chief Garner played a major role in changing LAPD relations with the African American community. His work with the Los Angeles Urban League team has been nothing short of monumental,” Taylor continued. “Among other things, he helped orchestrate and oversee the Department’s outstanding support of our transformational model, Neighborhoods@Work - an effort that has now worked with the LAPD and City Attorney’s Offices to lower crime by 30% in the Park Mesa Heights community of the Crenshaw District in South Los Angeles.  We have lost one of this city’s greatest leaders.  Deputy Chief Garner’s energy and passion for young people and his unwavering desire to positively change lives has been a contagious force of change in South Los Angeles.  His powerful legacy of service to Los Angeles must now serve to motivate all of us to continue to fight on for the betterment of our communities for the sake of generations to come. “

"For more than 30 years, Chief Garner's passion and compassion set him apart as a true leader for our police department," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement. "His commitment to L.A.'s families, his dedication to our neighborhoods and his lifetime devotion to serving the greater good demonstrate the extraordinary character of an extraordinary man."

Garner, who had been with the LAPD for more than 31 years, "served the community with both distinction and honor," said police Chief William Bratton. "All of us mourn his passing but take comfort in the knowledge that he lived his life and helped countless others along the way."

 The first sign that Garner might have health problems occurred Feb. 15, when he fainted at the funeral of Officer Randy Simmons, the first LAPD SWAT officer to die in the line of duty.

 "Deputy Chief Garner began his career with the Department over three decades ago and served the community with both distinction and honor. All of us mourn his passing but take comfort in the knowledge that he lived his life well and helped countless others along the way," said Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton.

 “The Inglewood Police Department is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of LAPD Deputy Chief Kenny Garner,” stated Inglewood Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks.  “Deputy Chief Garner was a committed law enforcement professional, and his dedicated efforts to improve the lives of Los Angeles residents will surely be missed.  My sincere condolences to the family of Deputy Chief Garner for their tragic loss.”
       
Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Deputy Chief Garner was appointed to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on June 6, 1977. As a police officer his assignments included Southwest Area, 77th Street Area, Central Area, 77th Street Area Vice, and Southeast Area. Upon promotion to Sergeant in 1986 his assignments included Central Area, Operations South Bureau C.R.A.S.H., 77th Street Area, Internal Affairs Division, and Operations South Bureau as a Commander's Aide. After being promoted to Lieutenant he was assigned to Wilshire Area and then South Traffic Division as a Watch Commander.

Upon being promoted to Captain in 1998, Garner was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Foothill Detective Division, then South Traffic Division and later became the Commanding Officer of Foothill Area. As Commanding Officer of Transit Bus Division he oversaw a command of 124 sworn and 4 civilian personnel. On October 2, 2005, Chief of Police William J. Bratton promoted Garner to the rank of Commander of Personnel Group where he oversaw all personnel matters within the Department including hiring of sworn and civilian Department members, reserve officer recruitment and assignment, all workers compensation issues and personnel record keeping.

On July 1, 2007, a month after he celebrated his 30 years with LAPD, Garner was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. He was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Operations-West Bureau where he oversaw all the police operations in the following Areas: Hollywood, Wilshire, West Los Angeles, Pacific and West Traffic Division.

On March 2, 2008, Deputy Chief Garner came home to the community where he grew up and spent most of his early years in life. He assumed command of Operations-South Bureau.

"I had to freeze for awhile," Cato said. "I'm talking about a man who was loved, a commanding officer who was loved by his officers. We called him Kenny G. He was one of the most down-to-earth commanding officers. His concept, his ideology was people first. He was able to balance people and their needs -- putting people first and still fighting crime. People are in shock. We've lost one of our best."

 "Los Angeles has suffered a great loss with the death of Deputy Chief Garner," said Paul Weber of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing rank-and-file officers. "Chief Garner's profound allegiance to the LAPD and the community warrants the appreciation and gratitude of all Angelenos. The men and women of the LAPD join the community in offering our deepest sympathies and prayers to the Garner family as they endure this painful loss."

“Chief Garner was very much a community activist. He was busy maintaining and establishing relationships in Watts, South Los Angeles and Wilmington. He brought the Los Angeles Police Department to the table to meet with and collaborate with the Watts Gangs Task Force.  He was not just an officer, but a friend no matter what time you called he would answer,” said Task Force member Mark Johnson.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, called Garner a "beacon of reform and change within the LAPD," and urged the mayor to rename the South Bureau Station the Kenneth Garner Division Command Station in his honor.

Deputy Chief Garner is survived by his daughter, Lauren; his mother and father and a large loving family. The Viewing: will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Faith Dome-Sanctuary, 7901 South Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044.  The Memorial Service will be held on: Monday, March 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Dome-Sanctuary, 7901 South Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044.  The Internment: Immediately following the Memorial Service-Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Workman Mill, in Whittier, CA.