Daryle W. Black is one of the most important figures in the city of Long Beach. He used to work as a police officer for the Long Beach Police Department. But, in order to understand who he is, you need to go back to the beginning.
Daryle W. Black was born on July 31, 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A former U.S. Marine, he had experience with law enforcement working as a Military Policeman – achieving the rank of Corporal. After his time in service, Officer Black decided to work for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, working in the main jail. During his time there, he had gathered valuable information regarding prison gangs, becoming a key informant for many other departments. After his time in the Sheriff’s Office, he transferred over to the Long Beach Police Department, entering one of its gang units for about two years. Despite being a big scary police officer, he still managed to relate to the kids. Although he had no kids himself, he still managed to reach the children of Long Beach and converse with them.
Unfortunately, on April 29, 2000, while on street patrol with his partner, Officer Rick Delfin, they were ambushed by Ramon “Gumby” Sandoval Jr, a gang member. During the ambush, Ramon shot 15 rounds into the patrol car with an AK47, killing both officers and injuring one bystander: a pregnant woman. Ramon was charged with murder and was sentenced to death. Along with his arrest, 4 other men were charged with connections to the murders.
On May 4th of 2000, over a thousand law enforcement officers along with Black’s family and friends attended his memorial service. Roughly 1,000 police officers formed a motorcade after the funeral for a procession through Long Beach to Brother Mortuary, where he would be shipped to Michigan for interment.
Officer Black was one the first LBPD officers to be shot to death in roughly 25 years.
Cover photo is credited to the Long Beach Police Department's Instagram; @longbeachpd.ca