Scott Diamond

I was going to tell you about the past two tournaments I played on Wednesday and Friday at the Bike, but other things are sometimes more important. I lasted to about 180 players out of 797 Wednesday. I made a move with 88 and was called by a big stack holding QJd and he hit a QJ on the flop. Friday AA lost to A2h when I pushed all in first, in a 4 way pot of about 4400 chips and was called. The flop ALL HEARTS..

This morning about 8;00am I was assigned to assist LAPD in Highland Park re: a Homicide Investigation. When I arrived I found out it was one of our own Deputy Able Escalante who had only been on our Department 2 1/2 years.

Deputy Escalante was shot several times as he was getting in his vehicle to go to work at the County Jail by an unknown assailant. He was only 28 yrs old, married with three young children and served time in Iraq with the U.S. Army.

I did not know Deputy Escalante, but anytime a Law Enforcement Brother/Sister lose their life, a certain piece of you inside dies along with them. It is hard to take and this one is even tougher because of the way it happened.

Two years ago another Deputy Maria Rojas was in Long Beach putting her gear in the trunk when she was shot by two unknown individuals riding bikes early in the morning.

Those two suspects were caught and recently received life in prison without parole. The jury deliberated only a short time because the evidence was overwhelming against them but the Jury decided against the Death Penalty.

LAPD has their finest Homicide Detectives on this case and some of our finest are assisting them. There were so many High ranking officials from both Departments there and LAPD did a great job of securing the area to keep the media and looky loos out.

My boss Sheriff Leroy Baca was there immediately after being notified as was Chief Bratton from LAPD.One thing Sheriff Baca makes sure of during a crisis such as this that the family is looked after and someone is there with them 24/7 over the next few weeks. Many Deputies admire him for this knowing if tragedy strikes in their families, he will be there to make sure all is taken care of properly.

My prayers and thoughts are with the family right now. There is still a long road ahead and with LAPD's finest and our team of experts the suspect will soon be found and brought to justice.

Thanks LAPD for the way you all handled today. Thanks to our Command Staff for showing so much compassion today.

Deputy Escalante may you rest in Peace!