LAPD officer dies after suffering ‘catastrophic spinal injury’ during training exercise while grappling with another cop
- Houston Tipping, a five year veteran of the LAPD who served as a bike instructor in the Devonshire neighborhood, was injured on Thursday during a training
- Authorities say he fell to the ground during an exercise involving grappling with another officer at the department’s Elysian Park Academy
- Tipping suffered a ‘catastrophic spinal injury’ as a result and was rushed to a local hospital after officers on the scene tried to administer first aid
- He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, and is remembered as ‘a bright and uplifting young man with a full life in front of him’
- Police are now investigating the accident to ‘identify if any additional measures can be taken to ensure such a tragedy is avoided in the future’
An LAPD officer died on Sunday, three days after a training exercise accident left him with a ‘catastrophic spinal injury.’
Houston Tipping, a five year veteran of the LAPD who also served as a bike instructor in the Devonshire neighborhood of the City of Angels, was injured on Thursday in a training exercise involving grappling with another officer, ABC 7 reports.
Los Angeles Police Department officials said he fell to the ground during the training at the department’s Elysian Park Academy and suffered from a ‘catastrophic spinal injury.’
Officers immediately began CPR nd called in Los Angeles Fire Department crews, FOX 11 reports, and Tipping was transported to the USC Medical Center.
He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, and police are now investigating the accident to ‘identify if any additional measures can be taken to ensure such a tragedy is avoided in the future,’ Police Chief Michael Moore said in a statement.
He described Tipping in a tweet as ‘a bright and uplifting young man with a full life in front of him.’ Tipping’s age has not yet been released.
‘May God welcome him home and comfort his family, friends and partners,’ Moore wrote, adding: ‘Our work continues in a profession that at times calls for a cost that is so very high. Blessed are the Peacemakers.’
Houston Tipping, left, a five year veteran of the LAPD, died on Sunday after suffering a spinal cord injury during a training on Thursday
Tipping, right, patrolled the Devonshire neighborhood of the City of Angels and was a bike instructor who reportedly ‘loved serving as a police officer’
Tipping fell to the ground during a training exercise involving grappling with another officer at the LAPD’s Elysian Park Academy (pictured) on Thursday. Authorities are now investigating the accident
LAPD Chief Michael Moore described Tipping on Twitter as ‘a bright and uplifting young man with a full life in front of him’
Tipping patrolled around the Devonshire neighborhood and ‘loved serving as a police officer,’ according to the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which said he will be remembered ‘for how he loved and made people laugh.’
Tipping was an organ donor, and Moore said in his statement: ‘Over next few days, his selflessness will save other lives.’
Moore also thanked Tipping’s classmates who ‘immediately sprang into action, initiating CPR and other life-saving measures as well as the work of the LA Fire Department.
‘I’m also grateful for Dr Kenji Inaba, and the incredible staff at Los Angeles Medical Center for doing everything they could to save him.’
Tipping is survived by his parents, Richard and Shirley; his stepfather Bob; siblings Kat and Tyler; and his girlfriend, Britney.