Police Officer Henry Anthony Acuna, Montebello Police Department, California

Police Officer Henry Anthony Acuna

Montebello Police Department, California

End of Watch Wednesday, October 6, 1971

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Henry Anthony Acuna

Officer Acuna was shot and killed when he responded to a robbery in progress at a liquor store at Beverly Blvd. and Via Vista. He was shot when he held his fire to protect a 64-year-old woman clerk being held hostage by the gunman.

On January 30, 1973, the arrest of a man, 31, for burglary in Los Angeles led to his arrest for Officer Acuna's murder, the kidnapping of the clerk, and five counts of armed robbery. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on July 26, 1973. He was denied parole on September 27, 2022. He can have another parole hearing in September of 2025.

Bio

Age 31
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Tuesday, October 5, 1971
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to life

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Acuna,

Tomorrow will be the 53rd anniversary of your tragic death. I still think of you often. I was just 11 the night you died. I lived just blocks away from where it happened. Ironically, the street I lived on at the time was Via Vista. the newspaper article that reported the story of the robbery that resulted in your death was posted on the current events bulletin board in my classroom at Washington Elementary. I recall often staring at your picture while the article was posted for several weeks. Your death profoundly affected me. the man who shot you will come up for parole again in September of 2025. I'm sure I'll get notified by ODMP when his hearing is coming up. I'll be sure to send them a no parole letter.

Daniel Ryan
Private Investigator (Retired)

October 5, 2024