December 29, 2024 — On an early Friday morning, 36-year-old Officer Tuan Le was shot after responding to reports of a burglary. His death was a tragedy for the Oakland police department, and he will forever be remembered as a martyr to the police cause. Tuan Le was from Taiwan yet naturalized as a citizen of the U.S. and died for this nation. Police commented that he was a devoted husband to his wife and is described as kind and a true hero who dedicated his life to making our community safer.
OAKLAND, California – The shooting happened on the 400 block of Embarcadero, just after 4:30 a.m. The police explained that undercover officers were dispatched to the block just before 1 a.m., responding to reports of a burglary. As the police came to the scene, the burglars fled, one shooting an undercover officer just before leaving. That undercover officer was beloved Tuan Le, who had responded to reports of a burglary in progress at a cannabis business. “He had a true heart for service. His desire to better the lives of others was ingrained in his identity. It was just simply who he was as a person,” stated Interim Police Chief Allison. Tuan Le was an officer through and through. He sacrificed his life to save others and dedicated his life to a nation that was not of his origin. He worked to save the people of Oakland from harm and to rid the world of the many injustices he saw daily. Tuan Le died surrounded by his wife, mother, and members of the department, at peace knowing that he would die with the people he loved surrounding him.
Four males are suspected in the death of Officer Le. Police suspect that Mark Sanders (27), Allen Starr Brown (28), Sebron Russell (30), and Marquise Cooper (34), all played a role in these crimes. Mark Sanders is accused of firing the fatal bullet that killed Officer Le, and Allen Brown is charged with driving the getaway vehicle. Both were charged and are in jail awaiting trial. Additionally, Marquise Cooper played a vital role in the commission of these crimes and was charged with 16 felonies, including first-degree murder and burglary. Sebron Russell faces a burglary charge.
Officer Roger Gomez commented that he had never felt unsafe in Oakland until this year, after witnessing and hearing about multiple burglaries near his house. He was on his way to buy security equipment to protect his home when he heard about the killing of Officer Le. Seventy-year-old Gomez realized that even police can get hurt and that even they aren’t completely immune to the unjustness of society. The death of Tuan Le was a wake-up call, reminding others of the police mission which is bringing justice to our nation.
Officer Le’s death was the first for the Oakland PD since March 2009, when four officers were killed in the same incident. Statistics for 2023 show that 1,754 police officers and 61 police K-9s died in California. The men and women who take an oath to protect the public put themselves at great risk every day, knowing that any situation they walk into could be their last, just like Officer Le. We must honor these men and women, especially those who sacrificed their lives, just like beloved Officer Le.
Sources
CBS
