The city of Los Angeles is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Sergeant Shiou Deng, a 26-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, who was tragically killed in a crash on the 405 Freeway early Monday morning. He was one of two individuals who lost their lives in the multi-vehicle collision that shut down southbound lanes of the freeway through the Sepulveda Pass for several hours.
The deadly incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on June 24, 2025, in the southbound lanes near Moraga Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol. A marked LAPD vehicle with visible damage was seen among several others involved in the wreckage.
Authorities confirmed that Sgt. Deng had exited his patrol vehicle to assist at the scene of the crash when he was struck by a passing car. He was transported to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
At a news conference later that morning, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell praised Sgt. Deng as a devoted public servant whose work saved countless lives. “He was a deeply respected leader within our department and a trusted protector of our communities,” McDonnell said. “His loss is immeasurable, and the grief we feel is shared not only by the men and women of the LAPD, but by the entire law enforcement family and the residents he served so faithfully.”
Sgt. Deng spent much of his distinguished career in the Mental Evaluation Unit, working at the critical intersection of law enforcement and mental health. His compassionate, skilled approach to crisis response earned him the admiration of colleagues, clinicians, and community members alike.
The other victim, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was pronounced dead at the scene. A third individual was transported to the hospital; their condition has not been disclosed.
Following Sgt. Deng’s passing, a solemn procession escorted his body from the hospital to the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office, with law enforcement personnel lining the route in a moving display of respect and mourning.
In a public statement, Mayor Karen Bass extended condolences to Sgt. Deng’s family, thanking him for his decades of service and sacrifice. “Los Angeles has lost a true guardian,” she wrote.
As of Monday afternoon, all southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway remain closed, with northbound lanes having since reopened. The investigation into the cause of the crash and Sgt. Deng’s death remains ongoing.
Sgt. Shiou Deng’s life was marked by courage, humility, and an unwavering commitment to service. He leaves behind not just a badge, but a legacy — one built on compassion, integrity, and quiet heroism.
