Free Republic

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s sergeant died Wednesday after he was shot while responding to a call of a residential burglary in Lancaster, authorities said. The sergeant killed was Steve Owen, a 29-year department veteran, according to sheriff’s Executive Officer Neal Tyler. “This has been a very dark day for the Sheriff’s Department,” Capt. Steve Katz said. “We are all suffering right now.” From the archives: L.A. Times reporter rides along with Sgt. Steve Owen last year » The shooting occurred as Owen and his partner responded to a 911 call about 12:35 p.m. from a woman reporting a burglary...

Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives have launched a probe into what appears to be a secret deputy clique within the department's elite gang unit, an investigation triggered by the discovery of a document suggesting the group embraces shootings as a badge of honor. The document described a code of conduct for the Jump Out Boys, a clique of hard-charging, aggressive deputies who gain more respect after being involved in a shooting, according to sources with knowledge of the investigation. The pamphlet is relatively short, sources said, and explains that deputies earn admission into the group through the endorsement of members....

(CBS) LONG BEACH Two men were charged with murder Wednesday in the March 28 shooting death of a female Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, who was killed in the driveway of a Long Beach home as she prepared to leave for work. Frank Christopher Gonzalez, 26, and Justin Ashley Flint, 20, were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Long Beach Superior Court in connection with the slaying of Maria Rosa, 30. Rosa was shot and killed around 6 a.m. March 28 in the driveway of the home of a female sheriff's detective she had been visiting in the 2900...

Muslims and LA County sheriff launch anti-terrorism initiative PETER PRENGAMAN Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Muslim leaders from Southern California and Sheriff Lee Baca launched an initiative Wednesday to increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism and expand the role of American Muslims in denouncing extremist groups like al-Qaida. The Muslim-American Homeland Security Congress, with representation from nearly every prominent Muslim organization in Southern California, will share information on possible terrorist threats, create a youth council to reach Muslims who might feel alienated in American society and give religious leaders a collective platform to condemn terrorist acts. "Together, we will...