Detective Gerald Wayne Sawyer

Detective Gerald Wayne Sawyer | Los Angeles Police Department, California Detective Gerald Wayne Sawyer | Los Angeles Police Department, California
Los Angeles Police Department, California
Detective Gerald Wayne Sawyer | Los Angeles Police Department, California
Detective Gerald Wayne Sawyer | Los Angeles Police Department, California
Detective Gerald Wayne Sawyer

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Tuesday, November 6, 1973

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Gerald Wayne Sawyer

Detective Gerald Sawyer was shot and killed while working in a joint undercover investigation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

A cocaine trafficker shot Detective Sawyer during an attempted robbery of a $144,000 flash roll. The trafficker and an accomplice were arrested at the scene by other officers and charged with first-degree murder.

A jury acquitted both suspects on September 28, 1974.

Detective Sawyer had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

  • Age 32
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge 11797

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Acquitted

narcotics, undercover

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I knew Blackie because I am the wife of Blackie’s first partner and his best friend from the academy days. They were partners for the first couple of years. Mike used to say that they knew each other’s thoughts without saying a word. And the Dept. split them up because of their closeness. We spent a lot of time together. Vacations at Parker Az, trips to Blackie’s folks farm in Chico, Ca. etc
His wife Rosella (Rosie) and I were also friends and I was Brian’s babysitter (their son)
When they took Blackie to the ER he called for Mike. They drove Mike to the ER —red lights and siren —but as Mike ran in he saw Blackie’s arm drop.
I don’t think Mike ever got over his loss.
Mike didn’t make it through Covid. EOW 1/2/21 He was 80. Blackie would have been about the same and if he had lived they would have been friends to the end

Sgt Mike Greenwood’s wife Kathy

October 14, 2024

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