On Saturday, March 21, 2009 Oakland PD Sergeant Mark Dunakin and Officer John Hege were murdered, by Lovell Mixon, during a traffic stop. Mixon was a parolee-at-large who had been convicted of attempted murder. He was also just identified, through DNA, as being the responsible in the rape of a 12 year old girl. During the intense manhunt that followed Mixon was tracked to his sister's nearby apartment. OPD SWAT officers entered the apartment and Sergeant Ervin Romans and Sergeant Daniel Sakai were killed in the gun fight. OPD officers returned fire and killed Mixon.
I just returned from one of the most difficult days of my life, the memorial for the fallen officers. Approximately 17,000 people filled the Oakland Arena, with another13,000 spilling over into the Coliseum. Needless to say, it was a moving ceremony. Three of the four officers left wives and kids. I know times are tough but we're all going home tonight. If you can find it in your heart to make a donation to the families I know it will go a long way in helping them get through this most difficult of times.
Donations can be mailed to:
OPOA
Attention: Renee Hassna
555 5th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Checks should be made to the following:
Dunakin Children's Family Trust
Roman Children's Family Trust
Sakai Family Trust
Or, wire transfers can be made directly to the Merrill Lynch accounts:
Dunakin Children's Family Trust, acct #204-04065
Romans Children's Family Trust, acct #204-04066
Salai Family Trust, acct #204-04064
Thanks
