Police Officer Ronald Lawrence Ball

Ronald Lawrence Ball

Officer Ronald Ball and Detective Arleigh McCree were killed while attempting to defuse two booby-trapped pipe bombs.

The officers, both members of the Bomb Squad, were called to a home that was being searched in connection with a shooting. The officers conducting the search located the two pipe bombs in a garage and called the Bomb Squad to the scene. While examining the devices, the officers determined they were booby-trapped and moved all of the other officers away from the scene.

As Detective McCree and Officer Ball attempted to defuse the bombs, they detonated, killing Detective McCree instantly and fatally wounding Officer Ball, who succumbed to the wounds at a local hospital several hours later.

Officer Ball served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 17 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.