GLENDALE–Southern California law enforcement leaders and officials turned out in large number Tuesday to pay their respects to slain LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Hagop "Jake" Kuredjian–who was gunned down Friday in Valencia by a suspect he was attempting to arrest.
A funeral Mass was held Tuesday morning at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in Glendale–and in attendance were hundreds of police officers and Sheriff deputies from throughout Southern California. Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
On hand for the funeral were Governor Gray Davis–Congressman Adam Schiff–LA County Sheriff Lee Baca–Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks–the entire County Board of Supervisors–representative of State Sen. Jack Scott–Vahik Gurjian–Glendale City councilmen Rafi Manoukian–Frank Quintero and Bob Yousefian–as well as several law enforcement leaders.
Also attending the funeral were representatives of the Armenian National Committee of American-Western Region–the Western Prelacy Executive Council–as well as some 3,000 officers from throughout Southern California.
Following the Mass–Gov. Davis–LA County Mayor Mike Antonovich–Sheriff Lee Baca–Santa Clarita Station chief Don Rodriguez all eulogized Kuredjian–highlighting his devotion to the department and his heroism in the line of duty.
Also making an emotional eulogy was Kuredjian’s brother–Raffi–who on behalf of the Kuredjian family–expressed a sense of sorrow at the loss the family has suffered.
Interment was held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills–where after the prayer service–a US flag was presented to the family–followed by a 21-gun salute.