LAPD officer killed in training accident laid to rest
LAPD remembers officer killed during training accident
A funeral was held Wednesday for Los Angeles Police Department Officer Houston Ryan Tipping, who died after suffering a spinal cord injury during a training accident at the agency's Elysian Park academy.
LOS ANGELES - "His life mattered, his days have become a sacred calling." That is how a very emotional father described LAPD Officer Houston Tipping’s feelings about his job.
The 32-year-old was honored at a funeral service packed with high-ranking officials and representatives of law enforcement, fire and many support agencies.
But it was his father’s words that touched so many gathered here to bid farewell to the five-year Devonshire Division veteran, who died during a training accident at LAPD's Academy.
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Chief Michele Moore has called it a tragic accident.
Tipping suffered a fatal spinal injury while working as a bike instructor during a grappling training.
The department is investigating what happened, looking for ways to prevent it from happening again, as the type of hands-on, contact maneuvers seen in wrestling, are part of their training.
Moore also mentioning two El Monte police officers recently killed in a shootout and a CHP officer injured in an ambush during a traffic stop, saying "sacrifice may come at any moment or time."
Tipping, 32, is survived by his parents Richard and Shirley; his stepfather, Bob; two siblings Kat and Tyler; as well as his girlfriend Brittany.