Valley Shootout: SWAT Hero's Final Minutes
Why Randal Simmons stepped in harm's way
Durham, who had known Simmons 17 years, says, "I would have expected someone like Randy to put himself in between gunfire to protect his partner."
Although some media questioned how crack SWAT members could have been so quickly felled by the troubled Rivera, Police Chief Bill Bratton says that in fact, given the risky decision to enter the house to save the lives of others, the squad had done exactly what "they were supposed to do."
Simmons, the father of two teenagers, was described as a "rock," a tenured member of the crisis-negotiation team, and a mentor for kids. "His work trying to save young children was exemplary," says Bratton.
Simmons founded the mobile Glory Kids Ministries 11 years ago, spending Saturdays at various low-income housing projects, including Imperial Courts in Watts and Scottsdale Housing Community in Carson.
He appeared in a colorful truck that offered a sidewalk church program for kids involving puppet shows, skits, games, songs and dances — all aimed at teaching kids self-esteem and keeping them away from gangs and drugs. Twice a year, Simmons organized big church events and transformed the parking lot of the Glory Christian Fellowship International Church in Carson into a carnival for the kids.
None of his colleagues or friends was surprised to learn that Simmons would protect someone selflessly.
Melissa Franklin, director of communications for his church, says, "It is in line with his character. That was the type of man he was. When one man lays his life down for another, that is true love, and he was someone who exemplified that."
One Simmons colleague tells the Weekly that a respected SWAT officer has already e-mailed Bratton, asking that the chief consider naming the new, multimillion-dollar Parker Center police headquarters under construction downtown after Randal Simmons.
But Franklin, who knew him for six years, says he would never want anyone to make a fuss over him. In reaction to all the press coverage about him, she says, "And even now, thinking about it, I hear Randy saying, 'It is not about me. Stop that!' ... I think he would say, 'You have to help the kids. Are you taking care of the kids?'"
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