INTRADEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE June 23, 2011 12.3 … · 2015. 6. 23. · Becker, Herbert Williams, Timothy Cooper, Brian Matthews, and Daniel Johnson are commended for their courage

INTRADEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE

June 23, 201112.3

TO: The Honorable Board of Police Commissioners

FROM: Chief of Police

SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR THE POLICE COMMISSION DISTINGUISHEDSERVICE MEDAL AND THE POLICE COMMISSION UNIT CITATION

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1. That the Board of Police Commissioners award the Police Commission DistinguishedService Medal for service.

Specialist Reserve Officer Renee Greif, Serial No. R6071, Public Information Office

2. That the Board of Police Commissioners award the Police Commission Unit Citation forservice.

Detective Loren Wells, Serial No. 14419 (retired)Detective David Weller, Serial No. 13473 (retired)Detective Joseph Pau, Serial No. 21774 (retired)Detective Jonathan Ix, Serial No. 22709Police Officer Randall Becker, Serial No. 12838 (retired)Police Officer Herbert Williams, Serial No. 13310 (retired)Police Officer Timothy Cooper, Serial No. 17457 (retired)Police Officer Brian Matthews, Serial No. 22007 (retired)Police Officer Daniel Johnson, Serial No. 23857 (retired)

DISCUSSION

POLICE COMMISSION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

SPECIALIST RESERVE OFFICER RENEE GREIF

Renee Greif is a Specialist Reserve Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Heraffiliation with the LAPD stems from a heartfelt interest in assisting with the Department'scounter-terrorism efforts. In 2007, Renee Greif met with Commander Joan McNamara, AssistantCommanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CTCIB), andexpressed her desire to become part of the Los Angeles Police Department's efforts to combatterrorism. As a concerned citizen, former attorney, and someone deeply committed to the welfareand safety of the community, she selflessly offered to dedicate her time to assist CTCIB in theirefforts to be leaders in the counter-terrorism field,

32592

Text Box

BPC No. 11-0272

The Honorable Board of Police CommissionersPage 212.3

The Department's goals involved not only the development of new policies and systems thatwould engage personnel in a way not previously imagined, but would actively involve thecommunity as true partners in the fight against terrorism. Renee Greif has been an indispensablepart of both these goals. Although there were no positions available for her at the time, sheproactively maintained contact with Commander McNamara. Realizing that she had thededication and overwhelming desire to make a difference, Renee Greif was brought on boardwith CTCIB as a Specialist Reserve Officer in January 2008.

Renee Greif wasted no time in becoming an integral part of the CTCIB team, joining the SpecialProjects Unit of CTCIB to work on the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) program. The SARprogram is based largely on the core belief that citizens and front line police officers are the onesmost likely to recognize unusual or suspicious behavior taking place in their communities, andthus they both play a crucial role in preventing terrorism. Renee Greif understood theimportance of this concept and started to immediately assemble a committed group ofindividuals who shared her vision and unwavering enthusiasm to assist her in getting theDepartment's message of preventing terrorism to the community. She kept the group focusedand their direction steady, even when glitches arose. Her imagination and creativity provided themotivation and leadership needed to keep the group on track.

The program has since gained national attention and has been adopted as a best practice modelby the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, asthe standardized and mandated reporting mechanism for suspicious activities potentially relatedto terrorism. The gathering of information, including previously unreported behaviors, has givencounterterrorism investigators the ability to identify patterns of activity and indicators ofpotential terrorist activity. In the initial stages of the development of the SAR program, sheprovided invaluable assistance by conducting reviews of the proposals and concepts, bringing thecritical eye of a former practicing attorney.

Renee Greif conducted comprehensive and exhaustive research on prior terrorist acts thatprovide historical background on how such acts are carried out. In completing this project, shereviewed hundreds of pages of government reports and biopsies of terrorist events. From thisresearch, the LAPD was able to build a comprehensive database on the types of activitiesterrorists engage in to prepare for their attacks. This daunting task required her to devote manymonths of dedication that resulted in CTCIB's ability to develop better terrorism preventiontechniques. It also provided invaluable information to the SAR program to enhance itseffectiveness as a counter-terrorism program.

The Department used a campaign known as "I Watch" to educate the public about the SARprogram. An important aspect of this campaign was the production and distribution of a series ofpublic service announcements. Renee Greif was instrumental in facilitating the development andproduction of these announcements. Her group obtained actors, studio time and production


assistance in the form of editing and sound personnel, to produce a series of public serviceannouncements. The amazing part of this accomplishment was that she managed to completethis seemingly insurmountable task with absolutely no funding. This is a testament to her abilityto create relationships and get things done.

Rene Greif also took the lead on writing a script for, and development of, an 8-minute lawenforcement training video designed to provide officers greater situational awareness regardingthe SAR and IWatch programs. She sought assistance from several Department entities to createan easy to read flyer that educates the public about terrorism and how to be an observant citizen.She tirelessly researched other community programs in order to educate herself and avoid anylegal issues involving copyright infringement. Renee Greif s vast knowledge of the law helpedher navigate through the confusion of various codes and regulations. The community outreachprogram was released officially in October 2009, and was adopted at the national level.

Another avenue that the Department pursued in order to provide information to the public wasthe creation of a Department-based website for the IWatch campaign. This website is a hub forthe citizens of Los Angeles to obtain basic terrorism information and to report suspiciousterrorism-related activities. Its expansion at the national level has functioned as a site to directcitizens throughout the country to the appropriate law enforcement agency to report possibleterrorist activity. Again, Renee Greif was pivotal in designing this website and providing theinvaluable guidance regarding legal issues that have arisen. She has maintained a closerelationship with the City Attorney's Office to address legal considerations, and has worked todevelop funding sources for the completion of the site that include recurring annual costs.

Renee Greif has proven that she is a valuable member to the CTCIB team. Without herdedication and work ethic, many of the projects associated with the Department's efforts toimprove its terrorism response would have been delayed or shelved altogether. It isrecommended that Specialist Reserve Officer Renee Greif be awarded the Police CommissionDistinguished Service Medal for distinguishing herself as a leader, public servant, and innovator,as demonstrated by her outstanding performance and exceptional service in the pioneering of theSAR and IWatch programs.

POLICE COMMISSION UNIT CITATION

DETECTIVE LOREN WELLSDETECTIVE DAVID WELLERDETECTIVE JOSEPH PAUDETECTIVE JONATHAN IXPOLICE OFFICER RANDALL BECKER'POLICE OFFICER HERBERT WILLIAMSPOLICE OFFICER TIMOTHY COOPER


POLICE OFFICER BRIAN MATTHEWSPOLICE OFFICER DANIEL JOHNSON

On February 22, 1990, Department personnel responded to a possible truck bomb parked in frontof the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building on Olympic Boulevard. DetectiveJonathan Ix was among the first Department personnel to arrive at scene, and he recognized thetruck was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (TED). Detective Ix immediatelyrequested the Bomb Squad's response. When Bomb Squad personnel arrived they encountered atruck containing 55-gallon drums and numerous mortar rounds and approximately 2,000 poundsof ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel oil in five metal drums. The launch of the mortars caused afire to erupt in the vehicle, and Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel had responded andextinguished the flames before Bomb Squad was called to the scene.

An initial assessment conducted by Bomb Squad personnel revealed the drums in the back of thetruck were swollen due to the fire and appeared to be highly unstable. Prior to approaching thevehicle, bomb technicians utilized Air Support Division to gain an aerial perspective and gatheradditional information about the device. Though the material in the truck was unstable andrepresented a significant explosive threat, the next step in the render-safe process required amanual approach by bomb technicians to open one of the drums and obtain a sample of thematerial contained inside.

Detective Joseph Pau and Officer Herbert Williams approached the smoldering vehicle andconfirmed the items in the bed of the truck were a large IED with a total of eight explosivemortar rounds. Using hand tools and physical force, they manually opened one of the drums andobtained a sample which was determined to be a highly explosive mixture of diesel fuel andexplosive grade ammonium nitrate prills. Once the material was identified, it was determinedthat the best course of action was to immediately render safe the explosive mortar rounds aimedat the IRS building. The mortars were protruding from a series of five-gallon cans which wereattached to, and positioned between, the 55-gallon drums. Bomb Squad members participated inthe hand removal of these dangerous explosive devices and conducted render-safe procedures oneach mortar.

After all mortars were rendered safe, unit technicians obtained a forklift from a local businessand worked together to carefully remove each of the drums from the bed of the truck. OfficerRandall Becker, using contacts established during his service with the Air Force National Guard,obtained a large cutting tool which was used to manually open each drum. An examination ofthe contents revealed the suspect had also placed numerous shotgun shells in the ammoniumnitrate/fuel oil mixture. Bomb Squad technicians carefully separated all the shotgun shells fromthe ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mixture and placed the materials into safe containers for laterdisposal. Additionally, the suspect had also placed nine five-gallon containers filled with highlyflammable liquid in the bed of the truck. Each of these containers was also carefully removedfrom the truck and transported to a safe location for proper disposal.


During the course of this dynamic and dangerous situation, Bomb Squad personnel, who werefaced with no other option, worked continuously for 18 hours carefully and safely completing adangerous hands-on, render-safe procedure on an unstable, highly explosive device. Sixteen cityblocks were evacuated, and the device had the destructive capability to significantly damage ordestroy structures in a two-block area. This 2,000-pound truck bomb represented the largestvehicle-borne IED rendered safe in the United States.

In the weeks following the incident, Bomb Squad personnel worked closely with CriminalConspiracy Section investigators. This teamwork led to the identification of the suspectresponsible for this incident and several other terrorist bombings against IRS facilities inCalifornia, in retaliation for an IRS audit and for unpaid taxes and fines.

Detectives Loren Wells, David Weller, Joseph Pau, and Jonathan Ix, along with Officers RandallBecker, Herbert Williams, Timothy Cooper, Brian Matthews, and Daniel Johnson arecommended for their courage and dedication to protecting the safety of both the community andtheir fellow public safety responders. They quickly realized the destructive capability of thislarge TED and immediately caused a substantial evacuation of the surrounding area. Withouthesitation, the bomb technicians put themselves in significant personal danger to diagnose andsuccessfully render safe the truck bomb. It is recommended that they be recognized for theirextraordinary bravery and professionalism in completing the only successful render-safeoperation of a large vehicle-borne TED in the United States.

Should you have any questions, please contact Police Administrator Gloria Grube, CommandingOfficer, Personnel Group, at (213) 486-4720.

Respectfully,

3

CHARLIE BECKChief of Police

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT 1 ----

COMMENDATION REPORTDATE

04/15/2009

NAME OF INDIVIDUAL/UNIT (If unit, list individuals at beginning of narrative) SERIAL NO.

R e Greif R6071 ----RANK

RPOS --DIVISION ASSIGNED

CTCIB—1...l.......,ATION OF OCCURRENCE

City of Los Angeles

DIVISION OF OCCURRENCE

CTCIB

DATE AND TIME OF OCCURRENCE

04/23/2008 0750

ITEMS ATTACHED TO THIS REPORT:

ARREST REPORT SERGEANT'S LOG

CRIME REPORT SCALED DIAGRAM

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

PHOTOGRAPHS

WITNESSES STATEMENTS: E.G., (Fire or Paramedic Personnel)

v OTHER

DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITY, TYPE OF ACTION, OR OCCURRENCE: RELATE FACTS INDICATING DEGREE OF HAZARD INVOLVEDAND QUALITIES DEMONSTRATED (COURAGE, INITIATIVE, ETC.). INCLUDE TACTICS USED BY THE INDIVIDUAL(S) IFAPPROPRIATE. LIST WITNESSES INTERVIEWED.

See Narrative on Pages 2 and 3.

RECEIVED BY

JUN 24 2010

AWARDS COORD.

PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT REPORTING SUPERVISOR(NAME, RANK, SERIAL NO.)

Michel A. Kozak, Detective II, # 513

CO, COMMENDED EMPLOYEE OR UNIT(NAME, RANK, SERIAL NO.)

Michael P. Downing, Deputy Chief, #23692

RECOGNITION FOR FOUR MINORCOMMENDATIONS WITHIN 12MONTHS

REPORTING SUPERVISOR(Signature)---

/%Al 9

CO, COMMENDED EMPLOYEE OR UNIT(Signature)

BUREAU REVIEW BUREAU COMMENDATION BOARDBUREA (Si ature)

P

_ /FOR ARD TOV ICOMMENDATIONS

ACTION TAKEN BY COMMENDATIONS BOARD

INDIVIDUAL (BRAVERY)PolicePolicePolicePolicePoliceCommunityHumanBureau

INDIVIDUAL (SERVICE)Police Commission

Police Meritorious

Bureau Commendation

UNIT

L _I Medal of ValorPolice MedalAwarded Police StarLife Saving Medal

l

q Bureau Commendation

Distinguished Service MedalMeritorious Service MedalMeritorious Achievement MedalCommission Distinguished Service MedalCommission Integrity Medal

Policing MedalRelations MedalCommendation

Unit Citation

Unit Citation

I 1LAPD Purple Heart

ACTION TAKEN BY COMMENDATIONS BOARD:1/18/11 - Recommended PoliceCommission Distinguished Service Medal

COMMENDATIONS, AWARDS & DECORATIONS BOARD CHAIR (Signature),...--.—

_../.. - -. f /

A N TAKEN BY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS C MENDATI• S, AWARDS & DECORATIONS BOARD REVIEWING OFFICER,OSS (Signatur

G 'Mc ii.J(k .01.18.00 (05/09) ACTION TAKE Y AWARDS AND DECORATIONS PAGE 1

COMMENDATION REPORT CONTINUATION SHEET

Renee Grief is an attorney and a Specialist Reserve Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. Ms. Grief serves asa board member, committee chair, and community activist for numerous organizations. Her affiliation with the LosA -igeles Police Department stems from a heartfelt interest in assisting with the Department's counter-terrorism efforts.

In late 2007, Renee Grief met Commander (ret.) Joan McNamara, Assistant Commanding Officer, CTCIB, at acommunity meeting she hosted with her husband. Renee approached Commander McNamara and expressed her desire tobecome part of the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) efforts to combat terrorism. As a concerned citizen andsomeone deeply committed to the welfare and safety of the community, Renee selflessly offered to dedicate her time toassist CTCIB in their efforts to be leaders in the counter-terrorism arena. The Department's goals involved not only thedevelopment of new policies and systems that would engage personnel in a way not previously imagined, but wouldactively involve the community as true partners in the fight against terrorism. Renee has been an integral andindispensable part of both these goals.

Although there were no positions available for Renee to fill, she proactively maintained contact with CommanderMcNamara. Renee wanted to take an active role in achieving the lofty goals set by the Department in the area of terrorismprevention. Renee was tireless in her efforts to become a vital part of the CTCIB team, and continued to offer her servicesto the Department and CTCIB. Realizing that Renee had the dedication and overwhelming desire to make a difference,she was brought on board with CTCIB as a Specialist Reserve Officer in January 2008.

Renee wasted no time in becoming an integral part of the CTCIB team, joining the Special Projects Unit of CTCIB towork on the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) program. The program, which has since gained national attention andhas been adopted as a best practice model by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) and the InternationalAssociation of Chiefs of Police (IACP), as the standardized and mandated reporting mechanism for suspicious activitiespotentially related to terrorism. The gathering of this type of previously unreported behavior has provided counter-terrorism investigators with greater information and the proven ability to identify patterns of activity and indicators ofpotential terrorist activity. In the initial stages of the development of the SAR program, Renee provided immense

eq istance by conducting reviews of the initial proposals and concepts, bringing the fresh outlook of a concerned citizen as1 as the critical eye of a former practicing attorney.

Renee conducted comprehensive and exhaustive research on prior terrorist acts that provide historical background on howthose acts are carried out. In completing this project, Renee read hundreds of pages of government reports and biopsies ofterrorist events. With this research, the LAPD was able to build a comprehensive database on the types of activitiesterrorists participate in to prepare for their attacks. This daunting task required Renee to devout many months ofdedicated effort and organization that resulted in CTCIB's ability to develop better terrorism prediction and preventiontechniques. It has also provided invaluable information to the SAR program to enhance its effectiveness as a program.

The SAR program is based largely on the core belief that citizens and front line police officers are most likely torecognize unusual or suspicious behavior taking place in their communities, and thus they both play a crucial role inpreventing terrorism. Renee understood the importance of this concept and started to immediately assemble a group offellow reserve officers and community members to assist her in getting the Department's message of preventing terrorismto the community. Renee reached out to the community she was already actively involved in and recruited a diverse andcommitted group of individuals who shared her vision and unwavering enthusiasm. Renee's team possessed unbelievablydiverse skill sets that made the group an undeniable asset in producing innovative and educational products for the publicat large. Renee kept the group focused and their direction steady, even when glitches arose. Renee's imagination andcreativity provided the motivation and leadership needed to keep the group on track.

PAGE 2


One of the vehicles the Department utilized to engage and educate the public about SARs was through a campaign knownas "IWatch." One aspect of this campaign was the production and distribution of a series of public serviceP-nouncements. Renee was instrumental in facilitating the development and production of these announcements. Renee

_zed her group on obtaining actors, studio time and production assistance in the form of editing and sound personnel toproduce a series of 60-120 second public service announcement for public distribution. The amazing part of thisaccomplishment was Renee managed to complete this seemingly insurmountable task with absolutely no funding. This isa testament to Renee's ability to create relationships and get things done with little or no assistance. The quality of thisannouncement was such that it was presented to former Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton during a briefingconcerning the Department's community outreach efforts in the area of counter-terrorism.

This type of effort has become commonplace for Renee. Renee also took the lead on writing a script for and developmentof an 8-minute law enforcement training video designed to provide officers greater situational awareness regarding theSAR and IWatch programs. Renee has also dedicated herself to the creation of a flyer for public distribution educatingthe public about terrorism and how to be an observant citizen. Renee tirelessly researched other community programs toeducate herself as well as to avoid any legal issues involving copyright infringement. Renee's vast knowledge of the lawfrom her experience as an attorney helped her navigate through the confusion of various codes and regulations. Renee hasreached out to several Department entities to help create an easy to read document that engages and educates the public.This community outreach program was released officially in October 2009, and was adopted at the national level.

Another avenue that the Department pursued in order to provide information to the public was the creation of aDepartment based website for the "I Watch" campaign. This website is a hub for the citizens of Los Angeles to obtainbasic terrorism information and report suspicious terrorism related activities. Its expansion at the national level hasfunctioned as a site to direct citizens throughout the country to the appropriate law enforcement agency to report possibleterrorist activity. Again, Renee was pivotal in designing this website and providing the invaluable guidance regardinglegal issues that have arisen. Renee has liaisoned with the City Attorney's Office to address legal considerations, and hasworked to develop funding sources for the completion of this site to include recurring annual costs.

,re are any doubts as to Renee's dedication to the Department as Renee has greatly exceeded the number of hoursperformed by her peer reserve officers. Renee has proven that she is a valuable member for the CTCIB team. Withouther dedication and work ethic, many of the projects associated with the Department's efforts to improve their terrorismresponse would have been delayed or shelved altogether.

The Police Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to Reserve Police Officer Specialist Renee Grief for distinguishingherself as a leader, public servant, and innovator, as demonstrated by her outstanding performance and exceptional servicein the pioneering and development of the SARs and IWatch programs of excellence.

PAGE 3

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENTCOMMENDATION REPORT

DATE09/10/2009

Nia r' OF INDIVIDUAL/UNIT (If unit, list individuals at beginning of narrative) SERIAL NO. RANK DIVISION ASSIGNED

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE

11500 West Olympic Blvd.

DIVISION OF OCCURRENCE

West Los Angeles

DATE AND TIME OF OCCURRENCE

02/22/1990

ITEMS ATTACHED TO THIS REPORT:

ARREST REPORT SERGEANT'S LOG v, CRIME REPORT v SCALED DIAGRAM i NEWSPAPER ARTICLES WITNESSES STATEMENTS: E.G., (Fire or Paramedic Personnel)

PHOTOGRAPHS v OTHER

DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITY, TYPE OF ACTION, OR OCCURRENCE: RELATE FACTS INDICATING DEGREE OF HAZARD INVOLVEDAND QUALITIES DEMONSTRATED (COURAGE, INITIATIVE, ETC.). INCLUDE TACTICS USED BY THE INDIVIDUAL(S) IFAPPROPRIATE. LIST WITNESSES INTERVIEWED.

Detective Loren Wells #14419 •

Detective David Weller #13473 •

Detective Joseph Pau #21774 -Detective Jonathan lx #22709 • •

Officer Randall Becker #12838 • 'Officer Herbert Williams #13310Officer Timothy Cooper #17457Officer Brian Matthews #22007 •

Officer Daniel Johnson #23857

On February 22, 1990, the above-listed personnel responded to a possible truck bomb parked in front of theUnited States Internal Revenue Service building located at 11500 West Olympic Boulevard. Detective Ix wasa , g the first Department personnel at scene, and he recognized the truck was a vehicle-borne improvisedexpiusive device (IED). Detective Ix immediately requested the Bomb Squad's response. When Bomb Squad

PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT REPORTING SUPERVISOR(NAME, RANK, SERIAL NO.)

Detective II Jim Joy, 22120

CO, COMMENDED EMPLOYEE OR UNIT(NAME, RANK, SERIAL NO.)

Captain III Horace E. Frank, 25958

RECOGNITION FOR FOUR MINORCOMMENDATIONS WITHIN 12MONTHS

REPORTING SUPERVISOR(Signature)

.a)"... -

CO, COMMENDED EMPLOYEE OR UNIT(Sig ature)

BUREAU REVIEW BUREAU COMMENDATI AM) TO OMMENDATIONS BOARD

BUREAU CO (Sign ure)

‘ q Qn)/0

ACTION TAKEN BY COMMENDATIONS BOARD

INDIVIDUAL (BRAVERY)PolicePolicePolicePolicePoliceCommunity

HumanBureau

INDIVIDUAL (SERVICE)XPolice Commission

Police Meritorious

Bureau Commendation

UNITLMedal of Valor

Police MedalAwarded Police StarLife Sa y ing MedalBureau Commendation

Distinguished Service MedalMeritorious Service MedalMeritorious Achievement MedalCommission Distinguished Service MedalCommission Integrity Medal

Policing MedalRelations MedalCommendation

Unit Citation

Unit Citation

I 1LAPD Purple Heart

_

ACTION TAKEN BY COMMENDATIONS BOARD:1/18/11 - Recommended Police

. •

COMMENDATIONS, AWARDS & DECORATIONS BOARD CHAIR (Signature)

4.4.4-----ACTION TAKEN BY AWARDS AND DECORA • :.

:

COM ENDATIO , AWARDS & DECORATIONSOSS (Signature)

— •

BOARD REVIEWING OFFICER,

01.18.00 (05/09)JUL .1.3 20flION TAKEN BY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS PAGE 1

AWADIne ev-Nrmr11-%


personnel arrived they encountered a truck containing five 55-gallon drums and numerous mortars filled withrr—tar rounds and approximately 2,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel oil in (5) 55-gallon metalL. is. The launch of the mortars caused a fire to erupt in the vehicle, and Los Angeles City Fire Departmentpersonnel had responded and extinguished the flames before Bomb Squad was called to the scene.

An initial assessment conducted by Bomb Squad personnel revealed the drums in the back of the truck wereswollen due to the fire and appeared to be highly unstable. Prior to approaching the truck, bomb techniciansutilized Air Support Division assets to gain an airborne perspective and gather additional information about thedevice. Though the material in the truck was unstable and represented a significant explosive threat, the nextstep in the render-safe process required a manual approach by bomb technicians to open one of the drumsand obtain a sample of the material contained inside.

Detective Joe Pau and Officer Herb Williams approached the smoldering vehicle and confirmed the items inthe bed of the truck constituted a large IED with a total of eight explosive mortar rounds. Using hand tools andphysical force, Detective Pau and Officer Williams manually opened one of the drums and obtained a samplewhich was determined to be a highly explosive mixture of diesel fuel and explosive grade ammonium nitrateprills.

Armed with this information, Bomb Squad concluded the best course of action was to immediately render safethe explosive mortar rounds aimed at the IRS building. The mortars were protruding from a series of five-gallon cans which were attached to and positioned between the 55-gallon drums. It was later determined thecombined contents of these drums represented approximately 2,000 pounds of the explosive mixture. All on-scene Bomb Squad members participated in the hand removal of these dangerous explosive devices and, inseparate locations conducted render-safe procedures on each mortar.

After all mortars were rendered safe, unit technicians obtained a forklift from a local business and workedther to carefully remove each of the drums from the bed of the truck. Officer Becker, using contacts

established during his service with the Air Force National Guard, obtained a large cutting tool which was usedto manually open each drum. An examination of the contents revealed the suspect had also placed numerousshotgun shells in the ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mixture. Bomb Squad technicians carefully separated all theshotgun shells from the ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mixture and placed the materials into safe containers forlater disposal.

Further examination of the vehicle revelaed the suspect had also placed nine five-gallon containers filled withhighly flammable liquid in the bed of the truck. Each of these containers was also carefully removed from thetruck and transported to a safe location for proper disposal.

During the course of this dynamic and dangerous situation, Bomb Squad personnel, who were faced with noother option, worked continuously for 18 hours carefully and safely completing a dangerous "hands-on"render-safe procedure on an unstable, highly explosive device. Sixteen city blocks were evacuated during theincident, and the device had the destructive capability to significantly damage or destroy structures in a two-block area. In fact, this 2,000-pound truck bomb represented the largest vehicle-borne IED rendered safe inthe United States.

In the weeks following the incident, Bomb Squad personnel worked closely with Criminal Conspiracy Sectioninvestigators. This teamwork led to the identification of Dean Harvey Hicks as the person responsble for thisincident and other terrorist bombings against IRS facilities in California. Mr. Hicks was the founder and solemember of "Up the IRS, Inc.," an "organization" he created to claim responsibility for the bombings whileattempting to conceal his identity. The investigation revealed Hicks orchestrated the bombings in retaliationfor an IRS audit which resulted in him being assessed $8,500 for unpaid taxes and a related fine.

tonally, Hicks was apparently angered years earlier when an IRS employee was rude and laughed at himc,,,ing a telephone conversation.

PAGE 2


The investigation further revealed that from 1986 to 1991, in six separate incidents (including two initial strikessting the Chet HoHeld Federal Building in Laguna Niguel, Hicks fired homemade mortar rounds at IRS

G.. -es or tied pipe bombs to nearby power poles. In one case, Hicks detonated a car bomb in an undergroundgarage of the IRS facility in Los Angeles. Prior to the February 1990 incident in West Los Angeles, Hicks hadattacked the same facility on two separate occasions.

These attacks, designed to terrorize IRS employees, became increasingly violent and sophisticated. Themajority of the attacks either occurred or were staged to take place on Mondays, when the IRS facilities werefully staffed and very busy. Fortunately, despite Hick's effort to infict maximum casualties, no people wereinjured or killed. Property damage was the only consequence of his attacks. Hicks subsequently sent a notesigned by "Up the IRS, Inc.," to the editor of the Fresno Bee newspaper claiming responsibility for an April 1,1991 bombing. He was arrested on July 11,1991, at his residence in Costa Mesa, California.

In February 1992, Dean Harvey Hicks was sentenced in Federal Court to 20 years in prison for the attacks onIRS buildings in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Detectives Wells, Weller, Pau, and lx along with Officers Becker, Williams, Cooper and Matthews arecommended for their courage and dedication to protecting the safety of both the community and their fellowpublic safety responders. These personnel quickly realized the destructive capability of this large vehicle-borne IED and immediately caused a substantial evacuation of the surrounding area. Without hesitation, thebomb technicians put themselves in significant personal danger to diagnose and successfully render safe thetruck bomb.

If the explosive device had functioned as designed, widespread damage to surrounding structures andsubstantial loss of life would have been inevitable. The consequences would have been catastrophic. Ther . 7e listed Bomb Squad personnel are recognized for their extraordinary bravery and professionalism fortl —it- actions in completing what remains today the only successful render-safe operation of a large vehicle-borne IED in the United States.

PAGE 3

INTRADEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE June 23, 2011 12.3 … · 2015. 6. 23. · Becker, Herbert Williams, Timothy Cooper, Brian Matthews, and Daniel Johnson are commended for their courage

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