ludlow

Ron Ludlow was the third man in my radio car (11A-pm) during the '65 riots on the night he was shot. I really didn't know him because he was relatively new to Firestone. When the incident occurred I was behind the burning liquor store at Imperial Hwy and Wilmington Ave., trying to apprehend (or whatever) the assholes who torched the place. When I heard the report of the shotgun I returned to the radio car on Imperial Hwy to find Ron Ludlow lying on the street mortally wounded. Bobby Taranto and I loaded Ludlow into the nearest radio car which was Russ Owens and Hopkins' vehicle. He died in my lap in the back seat on the way to St Francis Hospital because we couldn't get an ambulance into the area due to the road block set up by an FPK Lt. (NFD). I remember Hoppy on the radio telling the dispatcher to tell whoever at Imperial Hwy and Alameda to clear the road block because we were not going to slow down, which they did, and true to his word Owens did not slow down. Ron Ludlow, God bless him, was D.O.A. at St Francis Hospital even though the hospital staff gave it a yoaman's effort to revive him. I was so upset at the people who refused to allow the ambulance to come to his aid that I think I would have committed mayhem on their collective asses if I could have. I'm a lot older now (not necessarily smarter) and understand the tactical reasons for the road block. And, in all honestly I must admit that the ambulance probably wouldn't have changed the outcome. The actual shooting came about when the "perp" tried to disarm the Deputy with the shotgun which went off in the struggle and hit Ludlow in the chest/stomach area. When I saw the suspect at the station it was all I could do to keep from blowing his ass to hell where he belonged. If my memory serves me correctly, he got a slap on the wrist. He was convicted of or plead to manslaughter and got a light sentence.

No Justice!!

JACK MILLER FPK 61-66

Jack Miller, I read your comments about Ludlow and the night he was killed. I was Bill Lauer's partner that night, and I was on the passenger side of the car looking inside at the occupants when the shotgun went off. I remember Ron saying as he was lying on the ground, "I don't feel too bad". Those of us who could see the wound knew it was very bad. It was a bad night!

DON KENNEDY FPK 1965 & 1968 -1972

Even though I didn't know you, I was off duty and at St. Francis Hospital having my son's foot stitched up when you were brought in by a Sheriff's unit. I helped take you into the hospital where you left us.

I then went to work on Long Beach PD that night where fellow LBPD officer (Richard Lefebvre) and friend was also killed in the riots in Long Beach. I have never forgotten that terrible incident and neither of you will ever be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Larry Carter-Retired

Long Beach Ca. Police Dept.

My father was one of the officers involved in this tragedy. Though the responsibility for the death of Deputy Ludlow sits squarely on the shoulders of the murderer, this incident was the one thing in my father's life he could not reconcile. It affected him terribly. On more that one occasion, my father was overwhelmed with regret and remorse, feeling for the family that had lost their hero and that he could have done something differently. As I look back, my father lost a piece of his life that night too. For 40 years I know that my father was willing to sacrifice his life for the return of Deputy Ludlow’s life. I feel that I need to tell the family that my heart goes out to them. I was fortunate to have my father growing up. I know it still affects them to this day as it did my father to his dying day. To all that don't understand the sacrifice these heroes have made, please give them the respect they so richly deserve. To the Ludlow family, I hope that God has eased your pain, you are in my prayers.

Jim Lauer

Son of fellow officer, Bill Lauer