Traffic Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: South Traffic Division (STD) officers investigating a traffic collision became involved in an officer involved shooting (OIS).

On March 1, 2008, at 7:05 p.m., STD officers were in the area of Crenshaw Boulevard and 57th Street when they saw a gray-colored pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed.  As the truck passed 57th Street, it collided with a large palm tree and came to a stop.

As the officers approached the truck, they noticed Maurice LeRoy Cox in the driver’s seat. Cox, while reaching for the glove box, told the officers to move away or he would kill them. Over the next several minutes, the officers maintained sight of Cox, who barricaded himself in his truck, refusing to exit.  Officers assigned to 77th Area, STD, and Southwest Area responded to the location to aid in the investigation.  Five officers, all assigned to 77th Area were positioned at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard to coordinate perimeter control. The involved officers were Jose Campos, six years and 11 months with the Department; Thomas Callian, one year and 10 months with the Department; Osbaldo Ramos, 13 years and 10 months with the Department, Hector Ramirez, five years with the Department, and Corey Meisner, 12 years and 10 months with the Department.

At around 7:20 p.m., Cox left his truck and pointed what appeared to be a weapon in a northerly direction where the officers had deployed. As a result, an OIS occurred between Cox and Officer Campos. Cox then ran south and east from his truck toward the northeast corner of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard into a bank parking lot. While running along the north side of the bank, Cox turned toward the pursuing officers resulting in an additional OIS.

Cox continued to run through the parking lot to the east side of the bank. Once again, Cox pointed what appeared to be a weapon at the perimeter officers where another OIS occurred. Wounded, Cox was taken into custody and transported by the Los Angeles Fire Department to California Hospital where he expired from his wounds.

No officers were injured. Investigators recovered the object, a cigarette lighter power adapter, Cox pointed at the officers. Force Investigation Division is investigating the OIS.

Comments

[Credibility]

This is such a common mistake, why doesn't anyone take steps to correct it? Come on,
writers, copy editors, look out for each other. The mistake is a discredit,
especially for traffic officers, who should
know better.

A high speed (of travel) can be a crime.
A high rate (of speed) is not a crime.

If it takes my 1985 Yugo 40 seconds to
achieve 50mph, it could be said it has a LOW rate of speed.

If it takes my 2008 Corvette 3 seconds to
acheive 50mph, it can be said it has a HIGH rate of speed.

RATE of speed is NOT speed. RATE of speed
is how fast it accelerates; it has no
bearing on how fast it was travelling.

[Jennifer]

This is unjust. I know what happened and justice will be served. The LAPD thinks that they can just treat anyone the way they want. I don't care how long these guys have been serving in the force the video prevails all!!!!

[Kelly]

I don't understand how a died person could be taken into custody. And When was the body transported to the hosp? When it was still in the bank parking lot on sunday night cover. Please help me undestand this. Somethings not right here.

[Ed O'Shea]

Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer! What's unjust is that you have access to a computer with no parental supervision! We all saw the video, and these Officers did NOTHING wrong!!! And unlike you and your ignorant view point, some of us have to deal with people acting like Cox did! He acted like a complete degenerate!

Here's a NEWS FLASH, OBEY THE LAW! And don't act like a complete degenerate and simulate the item your carrying is a gun while pointing it at the Officers that are chasing you! OBEY THE LAW! This was after Cox told the Officers to back off from his car or he would kill them, while he reached in his glove box for a weapon. Then he later takes off running and while Officers are chasing him for SEVERAL felonious violations of the Penal code and the a few violations of the vehicle code Cox decides to point a possible weapon at the chasing Officers! What part about that behavior sounds lawful and ok with you? And if any of it does, then call your mother and father and tell them they did you a huge injustice by not raising you properly! OBEY THE LAW! Even the videographer appears to be taking cover behind the Police and a wall while running and recording, evidence that even he thought that suspect Cox had a gun! Or did he think the Police had guns that fired backwards? hmmmmmm, interesting?

South Central is plagued by gang and gun violence and until the city leaders get serious about helping the good people down there then people like Mr.Cox and the rest of the gangsters are going to continue to act like thugs! And thanks to the federal consent decree, the people down there are the true victims of the system! Us Officers that they are trying to get to sign this FD would be over lapping victims, but the true victims of no knowledgeable gang Officers working down here, are the good people! Which consists of about 90% or the people down here! The status quo of the city beating the cops up but giving the gangs a pass clearly is not working very well! Hence a 28% hike in murders this year! And it's going to get much, much worse!

.......Kelly the reason the suspect was "taken into custody," as are almost all suspects that have been shot by Police, is because he is still a threat and if he just pointed a gun at an Officer (which is what the Officers perceived), then was shot, it's exigent that he be cuffed ASAP. In this case, if you have seen the video, he is still kicking and gesticulating with his hands and feet, therefore he must be cuffed! If a suspect is clearly and obviously dead (shot in the head with a large caliber weapon, with no pulse or parts of the head) then he is not cuffed, because it is clear that he posses no threat. And once the cuffs are on and the suspect expires, we cannot tamper with evidence by removing the hand cuffs. This shooting, even though most likely justified by the Officers, becomes a homicide investigation! And it would be a crime to tamper with evidence. You're not suggesting that we do that, right?

Yet again a criminal gives the Police no other option but to shoot! I sure don't want the Officers to wait until he fires a round from a weapon before engaging! Then and Officer or some small child gets struck by a suspects bullet and Jennifer and her ilk are waxing about how the Police could have stopped the suspect by shooting him, but didn't! Typical obtuse view point!

The shame here is that a life was lost, but it was not the Officers that are responsible, it's Mr. Cox for giving them NO choice! But yet again the facilitators and arm chair quarterbacks, who know nothing about anything, will come on here and demonize the Police, instead of taking the high road with the gang members or criminals in their families! Pathetic and disappointing, but not shocking!

First rule: Go home at the end of your shift! And they did, after about 12 hours of overtime! I am glad the Officers are OK!

Stay Safe!

[Centurion]

Ed O'shea, pigging backing on your point to "OBEY THE LAW."

If Jennifer doesn't understand your point she should go on YouTube and search Chris Rock's, "How not to get your a** kicked by the police."

After reviewing Chris Rock's video on "Obeying the Law," she might have a better understanding, I hope.

[Jennifer]

Let me start by saying I am a law abiding citizen and have never been in trouble with the law. And yes Ed my parents did do a good job raising me and what about the parental control on my computer? We all have opinions Ed that does not make us children. I have friends and family in law enforcement and have a great deal of respect for them and know how hard their job is.

The man had nothing in his hand nor did he ever reach in his glove box or threaten the officer. He was knocked out from the car crash and no one helped him. He was hurt! What about that Ed don't you understand? If you were shot while exiting your car how would you react after stumbling out of your vehicle? And then to be shot at again by your reaction from the first shot. And then not to mention an additional 36 times approximately. Maybe you should get your facts straight and know a little more before you make rash judgments. The man was running and in fear for his life!! The man did not have a gun they even revealed that so why such force is my question!

I understand that the neighborhood is under a great deal of problems and I truly believe that the people in that area and the LAPD in that area are at war. Did you know that 2 or 3 weeks prior a teenager was shot by the police in that same parking lot only about 6 feet away from where Mr. Cox's body lay? The city and citizens need to work better together to make things better. I know hard working business owners in that neighborhood and they are seeing things everyday get worse it is turning into a war zone and something needs to change.

Did you think that maybe the airbag went off and hurt him? Maybe when he hit the car he lost control?

I guess that goes to show you that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can take your life so easy. He was a well respected man and a business owner not a thug or gang member.

[Dis and Dat]

It's citizens like Jennifer that REALLY makes me respect police officers even more. Not only is it tough enough to deal with violent scumbags on a daily basis, police officers have to deal with factless, self-serving rhetoric from people like Jennifer. LAPD Officers...keep your head up high!!! There ARE rational, logical citizens who believe in the truth and we support you and pray for your safety every day.

[Ed O'Shea]

You quite simple Jenifer are, mis-imformed! And that you're from the nieghborhood that I patrol, yet you have done little to nothing to correct the criminal behavior of the kids and adults in that neighborhood says quite a bit. Blame the Police, it's the Police Officers fault for everything! And that you believe that it's the people in the area, not the gangs, that are at War with the LAPD, is a further illustration of your criminally negligent behavior! I can only take you at your word! People like you are why we Officers are fighting an uphill battle and people like Mr. Cox feel that it's normal to act like he did!
And contrary to your position that your parents raised you propperly? Either your embellishing, or your parents didn't teach you about personal responsibility! Below, after I finish my diatribe, I will cut and paste a personal pledge from a more productive South Central resident, just for you Jennifer! His plan should be PASTED ON EVERY SCHOOL WALL down here!

And that you have "friends and family in law enforcement" is mildly interesting, considering the tone of disdain in your first post! You paint us with such a broad brush, a tad bit hypocritical, don't you think?!
Your strawman"theory "about Mr.Cox's death would stand up, if there were not facts to support the opposite! Typical of the anti-Law Enforcement crowd, defer and deflect any blame the suspect had for the incident, and blame the Police for using excessive force! I know the Officers involved and know that if Mr.Cox was involved in a traffic collision, they would have rendered aid immediately, UNLESS, Mr.Cox made the statement that he did and threaten to kill the officers! Causing them to have to redeploy and make every attempt possible to get him to surrender, so they WOULD NOT have to shoot him! However Mr. Cox gave the Officers NO choice! Again, OBEY THE LAW, it really is quite simple! But I digress, and again, you are ill-informed, and by the sounds of your disdain for the LAPD, willingly so, and that is a very callow position! Again the pejorative tone of your initial post was palpable and if you don't like straight talk like this then fix your moral compass and make some overt effort to educate yourself on the realities of Law Enforcement and a violent area such as South Central Los Angeles!
And I love the stone throw of "Did you know that 2 or 3 weeks prior a teenager was shot by the police in that same parking lot only about 6 feet away from where Mr. Cox's body lay?" insinuating that a defenseless little law abiding teenager was shot for no justifiable reason by the Police! You are a T-shirt, a transparent T-shirt in your morally bankrupt angst for the Police You really are a facilitator, like the 54 Van Ness Gangster Crips, Devon "lil Willie Gangster" Brown supporters! Until the Officer is killed then the Officer is a celebrated as a Hero? Really quite pathetic!
As for the following, Personal Pledge 32 by Larry Elder, if followed, you wouldn't have to add a 33rd, OBEY THE LAW!
And Jennifer try not to be so hatefull, it takes years off your life!

Ed O'Shea

by Larry Elder


1. There is no excuse for lack of effort.
2. Although I may be unhappy with my circumstances, and although racism and sexism and other "isms" exist, I know that things are better now than ever, and the future is even brighter.
3. While I may be unhappy with my circumstances, I have the power to change and improve my life. I refuse to be a victim.
4. Others may have been blessed with more money, better connections, a better home environment, and even better looks, but I can succeed through hard work, perseverance, and education.
5. I may be a product of a single- or no-parent household, but I will not hold anyone responsible for my present, or allow anyone to interfere with my future. Others succeed under conditions far worse than mine.
6. Some schools and teachers are better than others, but my level of effort, dedication, curiosity, and willingness to grow determine what I learn.
7. Ambition is the key to growth.
8. I will set apart some time each day to think about where I want to go, and how I intend to get there. A goal without a plan is just a wish.
9. "Luck" is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
10. If suitable role models are not nearby, I will seek them out.
11. A role model is someone who, through hard work and a positive outlook, has achieved.
12. A role model may be a parent, relative, friend, church member, judge, doctor, attorney, businessperson, or someone I’ve read about in the newspaper or seen on the local news.
13. I will contact role models and seek their advice, guidance, and counsel. People remember when they were my age and are eager to help.
14. I will seek out recommended magazines, articles, books, biographies, videos, and motivational and how-to books, and use them for education and motivation.
15. The light is always green. You cannot go full speed with one foot on the brake.
16. I am always "in school," and I will not waste my summer by failing to read about and speak to people who can inspire me.
17. I will avoid friendship with people who do not share my goals and commitments. Nonsupportive relationships waste time and energy.
18. I will not seek immediate results, as I understand life is a journey and not a destination.
19. I will read a newspaper each day.
20. I will entertain myself in ways that challenge and expand my mind. As someone said, a mind once expanded never returns to its original size.
21. I will pay attention to my diet and overall fitness, as they are the keys to a healthy and productive body and an enthusiastic mind.
22. Drugs are stupid. People who believe in drugs don’t believe in themselves.
23. I understand that jobs of the future require more preparation and training than ever, and I am determined to obtain the necessary background.
24. A well-rounded, competent student studies math and science.
25. People are not born "deficient in mathematical ability." Through hard work and dedication, the subject can be mastered.
26. It is essential that I learn to speak and write standard English. This is not "acting white," but acting smart.
27. A strong vocabulary is the key to communication, and I will read books on vocabulary enrichment.
28. I expect sometimes to be teased, even ridiculed. This will not stop me; it will only make me stronger and more determined.
29. I control my body and will not create a child until I am spiritually, psychologically, educationally, and financially capable of assuming this awesome responsibility.
30. Life is difficult. I expect setbacks and will learn from them. Struggle creates strength.
31. Every day is precious, and one without growth is squandered.
32. There is only one me, and I’m it!
Laurence A. Elder December, 1994

[pdhog]

Ditto Ed! The Cris Rock video is great and should be reqired viewing for all High School students and anyone awaiting trial! "Hey got weed! He got weed! Cracks me up....

[ayesha hood]

I just want to say that no matter the circumstances,this man belonged to somebody.Regardless of his conduct,his only son,my son,will be meeting his father for the first time in 17 years-in a casket.Imagine what I have to see in my son for the rest of his life while you are looking at"the speck in Maurice's eye and not the plank in your own".Yes,the Bible!"Those of you that are perfect,may you cast the first stone",said Jesus.R.I.P.Maurice and my heart goes out to you too,Laura.

[Kim Stone]

Ed, you and PD hog need better African American references than these two self loathing individuals. By quoting them, you just identified yourselves as less than informed and insensitive to African Americans in general. Also, with all respect, last I heard, Hollywood is not considered South Central. The person who uses the moniker "Hollywatts" is insensitive and unfunny as well. The thing is, I don't believe either one of you intend to be insensitive, which is why I point this out. And while you are having your fun preaching and making your flippant and superior remarks, using big words woo hoo, there are African American officers like the one we just lost who have to listen and suck it up over remarks like this and the one your guru made about the carotid arteries of black suspects.

[ron]

Ed, I am surprised to see that you listed all 32 point from Larry Elder. Go easy on her Ed she does not know you passion ON THIS SUBJECT.

[Ed O'Shea]

Hey Ron Good to hear from you again, and I hope your well! I am just shocked at Mzzzz. Stones obtuse and contradictory statement! That she would take issue with the 32 point pledge and call it's author a "self loathing individual" is quite shocking amidst her claims and obvious anti-LAPD stance? And for the record, my "obey the law" reference was not to Chris Rocks famous video, though I do find some humor in the video. It was quite simply to say OBEY THE LAW and you won't get "CHASED" by the Police! I don't chase lawful acting citizens! She either is not familiar with Larry Elder, and therefor didn't do her due diligence before opining! Or she is, as Larry says, a Victocrat! I think if Kim scrolls up and actually reads all 32 pledges, she might have a different opinion! That is if she lives in reality (flippant sarcasm inserted)!

And for the record Kim, I do more than preach and wax on a blog, over 200 citizens in south central have my personal cell number and I help them in more ways that obviously you know! Most of my fellow Officers and I take our job and oath very seriously, it's not just a punch line on the door of our car! And though I am getting a little longer in the tooth, I still stay fit and chase the predators of this city! A big no no according to LAPD's Risk Management! They would rather we take a report and not chase anyone! But then we didn't take our oath and come the job to protect them in their controlled office environment. But hey I am just some horrible guy who likes and respects Chief Gates! So go ahead and use us as a punching bag at your local coffee shop if it helps you get by!

[Kel]

Ayesha Hood,
your son hasn't seen his father in 17 years and you think him (good ol' dad) being dead is going to make that big of a difference in his life? I just don't get that statement. He wasn't in his son's life, did make any useful contirbution to his son's life and yet him being dead is going ot affect his son so much? How? No support, no visits, not even a post card in 17 years but NOW all of a sudden him being dead is going to cause your son to what? Turn to a life of crime? Drugs? What is going to change in your son's life? What are you going to harp on to your son that is going to make this such a big moment in his life? Why in the world would you make/take your son to this man's funeral? he wasn't a father to your son he was a man that got lucky about 17 years and 9 months ago.

[Cameo]

Ed, I knew the man you are speaking so disrespectfully about. He was a wonderful person you know nothing about therefore you have no right to speculate on what type of father he was or the circumstances of why he had not met his son. Not that it will matter to you but he would have loved to be in his life from day one if he would have known about him. This is not his fault nor his child's. He loved his son with all of his heart, a son he didn't have the chance to ever meet but still loved him as if he was there the day he was born. I think you have to be one of the most insensative, calous and abnoxious people I have come accross. This man's widow, family and friends are reading these posts and you have no respect any one of us during this difficult time. A man's life was lost but you type away as if this was your personal stage to be a total ass instead of trying show sympathy and compasion for the people effected by this tragidy. I hope you never have to feel the pain we all feel now that this man is no longer with us. Rest in peace Maurice. We will be your voices since yours has been taken from you. The truth will see the light and justice will be served.

[ron]

Doing just fine Ed. I just read that the family plans to sue for 10 Million Dollars.

[Jen]

I just want to say that it is always sad when someone loses their life. Sad for those that are left behind...family, friends, and even those that will unfortunately feel guilty and responsible for this loss.

However, has anyone determined why this man was running? Why he threatened police? Why, if he was indeed hurt in the crash that was self-induced, did he not allow officers to help him? Why he had never had a chance to meet his son after 17 years??? And, again, why run if you did nothing wrong?

My sympathies go out to all those left behind and the officers involved also.

[Ed O'Shea]

Well " Cameo", if expecting people to act like civilized human beings is considered being disrespectful, then I'm guilty as charged! I submit that your morale compass is stuck on 180 when it comes to reality based thought! And yes sir I do have the "right" to write anything I have, see, the Constitution of The United States of America!

But just one question if you can answer it! What part of Larry Elders 32 Point Pledge conforms with any of this mans actions? Let me answer for you, NONE!

And I could not agree more with Jen! She is right on point!

[Wyatt Earp]

Kim Stone refers to Larry Elder as "Self Loathing" because he doesn't tow the party line and has the courage to speak out against what he sees as wrong. For having an opinion that is different than her's, he is called self loathing and an Uncle Tom...

[Wyatt Earp]

One more comment to Kim Stone: Kim, I do know several Black Officers who work in South Los Angeles who are among some of the best cops on the LAPD. These individuals are role models to not only the young kids of the community who have been taught to disdain them, but also to the young LAPD officers just beginning their careers. I have seen up close and personal the total lack of respect that is heaped upon these outstanding officers by the members of the community they have sworn to protect and serve and I ask you Kim, what about that? Why is it apparently so okay for so many members of the community to be disrespectful to police officers, be they black, white, brown or whatever? Then whenever a gangster thug gets into a legal bind, it's always the cops who are to blame instead of the cowardly thugs who terrorize your community?

[Loves LA LEOs]

Ed please contact Dean Scoville re Stone

[Ed O'Shea]

Will do Loves, LA LEOs! Kim Stone is nothing more than a pathetic race-baiter! She herself is a typical closet case self loather, evident by her callow remarks! She is quite clearly incapable of being intellectually honest, about her own ineptitude within her community! My 4 year old has a better grip on reality than Kim and her ilk! Homes in Oblivion, USA must be escaping the housing crash, because quite a few people still dwell there! Huh, Kim and Cameo?!
Stay Safe all!

[Kel]

Cameo,
I think I was I that wrote a comment about not seeing his son in 17 years Not Mr./Officer O'Shea. However, this wonderful man had no contac with his son nothing in 17 years? Yeah such a great legacy he left behind, couldn't be a father to his son, wasn't "allowed" to see his son. He never took steps to see his son but he was a wonderful man never the less...interesting? I don't see the conection between a childless father, no support emotional or financial or anything but a wonderful, kind, great man is dead????

[Kim Stone]

It is interesting that you who have revealed a tendency to refer to people by race and speak in broad generalities about them are asking me to explain why it is not okay to preach Elder to the "South Central Community" (which is Ed’s euphemism for the African American community), rather than ask your African American brethren in LAPD. Larry Elder panders to fear mongers who say what you want to hear, based on assumptions that simply aren't true. For example, please consider: Despite what Elder has written, there are more African American men like Ofcr Randal Simmons than like Tupac Shakur; (just as there are more law enforcement officers like Randal Simmons than Rafael Perez or Stacey Koon.) There are more Caucasians on welfare than any other race. Teen pregnancies are down in the African American communities. Isn’t it race-baiting that you drag out Elder’s sanctimonious drivel right after the Department (which I do NOT hate and to which I owe a debt of gratitude) paid righteous tribute to an African American hero, and the community (to which I also owe a debt of gratitude) paid it right back? Does the affirmed bond between the community and the department unsettle you because it goes against your entrenched beliefs? It was a beautiful thing to see, and THAT is the reality I live in, sir - every day and every night. In the past, it was wrong that we were forced to assimilate our Irish culture when we came here during the Potato Famine; it is now wrong for us to expect people from other cultures to check their traditions and customs and language at the door when they come here. I can say that because I know who I AM. I am the granddaughter of a proud Irish woman who raised ten kids alone during the Depression and fed everyone who came to her door by taking in laundry and ironing. I AM the pregnant teenager who took refuge in South Central and was re-parented by a psychology student who is now the head of the Psychology Dept at UCLA. Oh yeah, and he is African American via Panama. I AM the woman whose grown children have never been arrested, whose grandchildren may end up with you as their TO in a few years. And with all that I AM, and all that I have, I love law enforcement officers. Your lives matter to me. But I am not a sycophant, and I will not just go along to get along. Koolade is unholy water to me, no matter who is serving it. You have pulled my covers in this blog from time to time; don't dish it out if you can't take it. I Am responsible for myself and I don't need Ron or anyone else to protect me. Lastly, Ed, I love you enough to be brave enough to offer critical feedback which is unpopular to you and your friends, rather than just believe you are incapable of change. I have worried about you, prayed for you, and reached out for you for over two years now, because you are more to me than sound bytes on a blog. Stay safe. Yr friend,

[Cameo]

The way Maurice died does not tell his story or say who he was or what type of man he was. People are going to assume what they will without all the facts and continue to make judgements about things they don't know, no matter what is said. Rest in peace Mo.