mass shooting

A Manhattan Beach police officer killed in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday was a survivor of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas who risked his life saving others during the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

This is a tragic day, one that has become far too common. A gunman opened fire last night at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. The shooter killed 12 people, including Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Sgt. Helus was a 29-year law enforcement veteran, who was set to retire soon. Helus entered that bar with the intention of saving lives and sadly lost his own life in doing so. He is a true hero and will always be remembered as such.

Today, Assemblymember Tom Daly (D-Anaheim), Chairman of the Assembly Insurance Committee, introduced AB 1749, a bill AOCDS is proudly sponsoring. AB 1749 would clarify that fully-sworn peace officers can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if, while in the midst of pursuit, apprehension, protection or preservation of life or property within or out of the state, the officer suffers injury, disability or death.

“We are sickened and brokenhearted over the unnecessary tragedy that unfolded in Las Vegas overnight. As we mourn the loss of the 59 victims and pray for the recovery of the hundreds injured in the mass shooting, we find a ray of light in the humanity we’re seeing in the aftermath of the massacre.