Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I started working at DKC in April 1998. The tragedy was still fresh in the minds and hearts of staff that lived through it. I was assigned to the cottage of the other resident that the perpetrator let out of his room and AWOLed with.. Amethyst. It is all so very haunting, tragic and horrific. Mr. Garcia was so young and I heard he was so dedicated.

Rest in eternal peace.

DPO II Gabriela G. Lozano, LMFT
LA County Probation Dept

April 5, 2022

On that day I was assigned to the Transportation Section as a Transportation Deputy and arrived at DKC on another assignment but was immediately dispatched to assist in the apprehension of the juvenile suspect he was immediately apprehended and was back in custody,but for me it was not over this juvenile per our Chief was than being housed in Orange County Juvenile Hall and I was part of a team of Deputies that were assigned to transport this juvenile to Eastlake court for his fitness hearing it was one of the hardest assignments that I had to perform it took all I had to keep my composure having this individual in my vehicle and now my job was to protect him because there was an order through intelligence that he would be hit it was a total team effort to make sure he arrived to court without incident I was relieved when he lost his fitness hearing and LASD took custody to this day I mourn because I knew Officer Garcia personally I also know the juveniles name an another that was housed at Barry J Nidorf Juvenile Hall but I can’t disclose that information.

Transportation Deputy Juan Pagàn Jr
Los Ángeles County Probation Department

April 4, 2022

Rest in peace Group Supervisor Garcia.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 2, 2020

Supervisor Garcia,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of California. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections/Detention/Probation Officer. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

April 5, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 5, 2018

Thank you so much for your service in our nation's law enforcement. My condolences to your widow and all of those kids who lost a good husband and father. RIP

John Haseltine - Civilian

April 5, 2016

I worked with Arnie from '84-'87 at DKC. Many times I relieved him from the graveyard shift. There were times he stayed over for the A.M. shift. Always friendly, easy-going, never saw him angry or upset. I had moved on to the field when our brother was taken from us. Shock, disbelief, anger, hopelessness. Why would anyone take the life of such a well rounded human being. At the funeral, I don't believe there was a dry eye. The reality is it could of been anyone of us. Arnie took one for the team which I will never forget.

Deputy Probation Officer-Juvenile Invest
LACO Probation Dept.

December 12, 2015

Arnold Garcia Jr was my Uncle. He was my mother's brother. He was a very sweet man and was always so polite and kind to us! We miss him dearly. It has been 20 years too long that your life was taken from us. We Love You Tio Jr.

Yvonne Melendez
Niece

April 4, 2014

I worked in the unit and one on one with one of the defendants who did this awful crime. I often wondered what happened to him since inside they changed his name to protect him from death threats he was receiving. To read the most recent post that he is still locked up was a joy. GSN Garcia will never be forgotten. The brothehood/sisterhood of the badge is what keeps us connected. (Resigned May 2006)

Former GSN Solaita
Los Angeles County Probation Department

February 19, 2013

I have worked very hard in the last eighteen months to see that your killer does not have the opportunity to have his sentence modified under proposed legislation in the state legislature. Seven jlwop offenders murdered police officers, and an eighth jlwop offender murdered you. None of these officers' families should be subjected to as many as five new sentnecing hearings to give the teenkillers a "second chance".. Nor should families of civilian victims who were killed by the approximately 301 teen killers sentenced to life without possibility of parole in Californoa for murders they committed when they were 16 or 17.

I pray that the just verdict and sentence for your brutal murder remains intact.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 4, 2012

I have recently tranf to DKC from Challenger. Not a night goes by that you are forgotten by me as I go into work there. I also lost both my Bro in Law Correctional Officer M. Gonzalez EOW 01/10/05 & my Bro Deputy J. Ortiz EOW 06/24/05. Yes, both within 6 months. I am sending my Prayers to you Officer Garcia & your family. GOD BLESS & keep a watch over your fellow Borthers & Sisters in Probation as well as your family.
"GSN ORTIZ"

Javier "ART" Ortiz
LA Co. Probation

September 27, 2011

Rest in Peace, Supervisor Garcia. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifteenth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 4, 2009

Probation is a hard and very dangerous career, and their are times where it seems you are out number in the halls, camps. Some types of weapons or protective gear are needed in order to feel safe and avoid more tragedies. Rest in Peace Arnold Garcia.

DSO/ AVALOS
L.A.C.P.D

July 17, 2008

I was a Deputy Probation Officer with LA County Probation when this tragedy occurred. During the Baker-to-Vegas relay of 1994, I ran with the LA County Probation Team. During this event, all the Probation runners wore a black band in your honor. That was a long time ago, and I've since moved to another agency....however, you are not forgotten. Rest in peace at your place of eternal sunshine and azure skies.....

LAPD / DSVD

June 19, 2008

God bless you.

I hope the deaprtment now arms the supervisors with protective weapon.

RIP

citizen

May 19, 2008

Hi, Bro.

Small world, indeed. Today, (while taking a junior supervisor to lunch), we ended up sharing a table with two persons who turned out to be LACPD employees.

Of course, we ended up discussing that fateful night in 1994.

You are most certainly not forgotten..........

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 18, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

Perhaps, there is no law enforcemnet role that is more thankless and often more dangerous, than that of a Los Angeles County Probation Department(LACPD) employee. Some of the most ruthless/hardcore juveniles are supervised.

Arnold Garcia was the first to be killed in the line-of-duty. On that fateful night, he was supervising a 20-bed facility with no weapon of any type.

To the Men and Women of the LACPD, You have my utmost respect.

Supervisor Garcia, may You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 4, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 28, 2007

A REMINDER OF WHY JUVENILES THAT DO THESE THINGS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. IF IT WARRANTS A DEATH PENALTY THEN IT SHOULD BE A DEATH PENALTY. GOD BLESS YOU MR. GARCIA

LCSO

June 7, 2005

For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacrafice the protected will never know.

Anon

PO 3 Lee Guzinski
Montgomery County, MD