Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Public memorial held for TSA officer killed in LAX shooting
Listen
• 1:41
TSA agent Ericson Salvador, who works in LAX's terminal one, enters a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
TSA agents greet injured colleagues Tony Grigsby and James Speer before a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Attendees wear a picture of Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez before a public memorial on Tuesday for Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Retired San Jose Police Officer Brian Hyland of the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society tunes his bagpipes before a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Mitch Mendler, president of Project 2978 World Memorial, puts up state flags before a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
TSA agents wait outside before a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Injured TSA agent Tony Grigsby enters a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Bagpipers and drummers from the the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society enter before a public memorial on Tuesday for Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Hernandez was the first-ever TSA agent to be killed in the line of duty, after a shooting at LAX more than a week ago.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
TSA officers, LA area police officers and federal dignitaries honor slain TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez at a memorial Tuesday.
(
Erika Aguilar/KPCC
)
A team of TSA officers and L.A. Airport Police officers fold a traveling honor flag that hung high above the entrance at the memorial held Tuesday for fallen TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez.
(
Erika Agular/KPCC
)
A team of TSA officers and L.A. Airport Police officers fold a traveling honor flag that hung high above the entrance at the memorial held Tuesday for fallen TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez.
(
Erika Aguilar/KPCC
)
A team of TSA officers and L.A. Airport Police officers fold a traveling honor flag that hung high above the entrance at the memorial held Tuesday for fallen TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez.
(
Erika Aguilar/KPCC
)
Friends and co-workers of TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez made blue-ribbon pins to wear to the memorial in honor of their colleague, the first TSA officer to die in the line of duty.
(
Erika Aguilar/KPCC
)
Colleagues of the Transportation Security Administration officer shot and killed during a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport honored his life and service Tuesday at a memorial of song, memories and honor guard ceremony.
“It has been difficult,” said TSA Supervisory Officer Sheleta Fraceser, who emceed the memorial. “But through all the love and support received and the grace of God, my co-workers and I have begun a healing process.”
Memorial Service Honors Slain TSA Officer
A lone gunman who was reportedly targeting TSA officers at LAX shot Gerardo Hernandez, 39, on Nov. 1 as the victim checked passengers through Terminal 3. Hernandez was a father of two and the first TSA officer killed in the line of duty.
Support for LAist comes from
The service Tuesday at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began with a solemn eulogy followed by a soulful rendition of "Amazing Grace," performed by a chorus of blue-uniformed TSA officials.
Hernandez’s family attended but did not speak. Instead, an LAX airport security official read a note written by Hernandez's wife, Ana Machuca. She wrote that Hernandez was the youngest of four sons who immigrated to the United States from El Salvador when he was 15 years old. He graduated from Los Angeles High School.
The couple met as teenagers, married on Valentine’s Day 15 years ago and raised two children together: a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Hernandez would have turned 40 years old last weekend.
“I am devastated,” Machuca wrote. “We are all heartbroken and will miss him dearly.”
Acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Rand Beers presented an American honor flag to Hernandez’s wife on bended knee.
Friend of the family Cesar Perez said the cheerful TSA officer who always had a smile taught him what it meant to be a committed husband and loving father.
"I guarantee you that he left with no loose ends,” said Perez. “And only a man with that type of dedication to his family can do this.”
Support for LAist comes from
The sharply dressed TSA officers, L.A. Airport Police officers and security guards, LAPD officers and airlines pilots filled sections of seats at the memorial. Two other TSA officers who were wounded, Tony Grigsby and James Speer, also attended the services.
Alleged gunman Paul Ciancia is still in the hospital and has been charged with Hernandez's murder.
TSA officers are committed to their duties despite the tragedy, said TSA Supervisory Officer Danielle Arocho, who is assigned to Terminal 3 and worked with Hernandez. Fighting tears, she said Hernandez respected and cared for all passengers and employees and adjusted to change easily and with great integrity.
“He is our hero,” Arocho said. “We will hold our heads high and continue to protect each other, as that is what Gerardo would have wanted of his team.”
TSA Administrator John Pistole attended the services along with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
“The actions that you all took on that terrible day remind us that courage and compassion will always be stronger than violence and hate,” Pistole told the TSA officers.
Some of the public who attended wore royal blue to honor Hernandez’s service to the TSA. Blue ribbons with his picture were also pinned to attendees.
Support for LAist comes from
RELATED: KPCC coverage of the shooting at LAX
This story has been updated.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist