Sheriff Deputy Shot and Killed, Investigators Asking for Public’s Help
Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding the
person(s) responsible for the shooting death of Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Abel Escalante.
On Saturday, August 2, 2008 at about 5:40 a.m., Escalante left his home in Cypress Park near the 3400 block of Thorpe Street to go to work. As he stood by his car, an unidentified suspect or suspects shot him to death from a vehicle.
Los Angeles Fire Department medical personnel responded to the area and pronounced the victim.
LAPD Robbery Homicide Detectives are handling the investigation and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is assisting with the investigation. LAPD Detectives are working closely with the Sheriff’s Department and are following up on multiple leads, concerning various possibilities.
“We need the community’s help to solve this murder,” said Detective Steven Eguchi, one of the investigators assigned to this case. “Without the public’s help, this investigation could go on for a very long time.”
Escalante was assigned to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Mens’ Central jail. He was very close to his three young children and served in the United States Army Reserve.
Members of the community, the LAPD and Sheriff’s Department held a prayer vigil in Escalante’s honor on Monday, August 4, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the site of his murder.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Robbery Homicide Division Detectives Thomas Mathew or Steven Eguchi at 213-485-2531. After hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).
I remember the days when all hell would be unleased if an officer was killed in an LAPD area. What happened? Has Bratton become so concerned about how the public perceives him that he will let the murderer (and his gangster associates) of a fellow law enforcement officer not be subject to all out pressure. If I was Baca I would have all my LASD gang units working Northeast putting pressure on these thugs to give up their homeboy. Is there something they are not telling us. Where is the full court press?
Posted by: NDynamite | August 05, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Dear LA Law Enforcement Officers, I am very sorry for the loss of your brother officer. I am always praying for all of you, loving each of you and your families, deeply appreciative of the daily sacrifice all of you make. To the family of this newest angel, I offer my heartfelt condolences, my tears, and my prayers. May you all receive comfort and peace beyond understanding. Yr friend,
Posted by: Loves LA LEOs | August 06, 2008 at 01:47 PM
NDynamite...
You can rest assured that the LASD is equally involved in this investigation with our Homicide Detectives as well as our Gang Intelligence Deputies in the Jail system and I am very confident that everyone working on this case from the LAPD is just as committed to catch the little coward who did this as they would if this had happened to an LAPD officer. We're all cops and we all work with the same criminals who hate us equally.
Posted by: Wyatt Earp | August 06, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I pretty sure RHD and LASD's Best are working hard on this case.
The only thing that bothers me is that this incident is no longer of great importance to the news media. Obiviosly Paris Hilton get some head line news.
The next time the media will talk about Deputy Juan Escalante is on Friday when he is buried.
What a shame.
Posted by: Centurion | August 07, 2008 at 06:58 AM
To My fellow Warriors of the LASD. Our prayers are with each of you during this tough time. I will also say that we WILL find out who is responsible for this Murder of our Brother and bring "justice" to them!
Stay Safe.
Posted by: Ed O'Shea | August 07, 2008 at 07:24 PM
The following day, August 3rd, mysef and other officers became involved in this investigation. Though our involvement was minimal it lasted our entire shift. During this time myself and other officers were in contact with LASD detectives. We were also working closly with Deputy Escalante's family. The detective I had spoken with had been up 27 hours when my shift started. We worked togetehr for better than 10 hours. When I went EOW, the detectives were still working. I know it may seem at times that not enough is being done but I can asure any officer reading this that the Chief, the Sherrif and everyone else involved in this hunt is doing everything they can to get the job done. If the detctives assigned to this case read this, my hats off to you. This is a tough job with no happy ending. The pressure must be tremendous. Hang in there, we support you and know you are doing your absolute best. The family appreciates all the help. Keep it coming because when the media leaves and time moves on, we are frequntly all the family has to get through these very trying times.
Posted by: Richard Davis | August 17, 2008 at 02:32 AM
Let clarify my earlier comments. I was not talking about the investigative arm (ie detectives) involved in this case. I was talking about street coppers. (ie Metro, Central bureau gang units, extra patrol units, traffic, etc.) Used to be all those units would be unleased leaving no stone unturned. Are those days gone?
Posted by: NDynamite | August 17, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Happy Birthday Abel. We love you. Time heals all wounds but you will never be forgotten. Thank you to all you peace officers for everything that you do.
Posted by: DLC | September 04, 2008 at 09:53 PM