WELCOME
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WELCOME
Richard Bell grew up in the City of Pasadena. He started his law enforcement career as a Reserve Officer with the Monrovia Police Department in 1995. In 1996, Richard was hired by the San Marino Police Department, and was assigned to the Patrol Division. In 1999 Richard joined the West Covina Police Department Family.
PATROL
About two-thirds of all sworn officers work in this division, which focuses on patrolling city streets, answering calls for service, and identifying potential crime problems. Under the Community Service Area Policing program, four dedicated lieutenants and their crews are assigned a specific quadrant of the City and tasked with resolving public safety concerns for residents, neighborhoods, and businesses. This division includes the Traffic Unit, the K-9 Unit, Jail Operations, Reserve Officers, Police Cadets and award-winning SHOP senior volunteers who perform non-hazardous duties to free up sworn officers.
You are invited to join us for the unveiling of the Gold Star Banner honoring LCpl Ruben Velasco, USMC.
Location: on West Covina Parkway in front of the City of West Covina Civic Center.
When: Wednesday, Sept 20, 2017
Time: 6:00 PM
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The West Covina Police Department Remembers...
Today, August 31st marks the 34th anniversary of West Covina Police Officer Ken Wrede’s death. Officer Wrede was killed while attempting to arrest a subject who was reportedly under the influence of PCP. In honor of Officer Wrede's ultimate sacrifice serving this community, all personnel will wear black bands over their badge. This tribute will take place Thursday morning August 31st, 2017 at 0600 - Friday morning September 1st, 2017 at 0630 hours. As you will see from the attached specifics on the incident, Officer Wrede served this organization with distinction. Several personnel from the department both current and retired will gather with Ken’s family today to recognize his sacrifice.
In 2015 the West Covina POA coordinated the installation of a fallen officer memorial street sign at the location of the incident and in our underground parking lot honoring Ken’s sacrifice in the service of this community.
Officer Kenneth “Ken” Scott Wrede
WCPD ID#203
WCPD Officer Badge #7
Date of Birth: February, 1957
WCPD Hire Date: August 1st 1980
End of Watch: August 31st 1983
Circumstances: On Wednesday, August 31, 1983, Officer Kenneth “Ken” Wrede #203 was working as a patrol officer for the West Covina Police Department. At approximately 1219 hours, Officer Wrede was contacted by a citizen who reported a man, possibly under the influence of drugs, acting bizarre in the street. Officer Wrede responded to the area of Lark Ellen Avenue and Francisquito Avenue and began searching for the man.
Officer Wrede located the suspect at Francisquito Avenue and Glenview Road. Officer Wrede made contact with the suspect and radioed that the suspect appeared to be high on PCP. Officer Wrede requested another officer to respond to assist him. The suspect refused orders by Officer Wrede and a struggle ensued. During the continued struggle, the suspect was able to rip the shotgun and shotgun rack from Officer Wrede’s patrol unit. The suspect fired the shotgun over the roof of the unit, fatally wounding Officer Wrede. Responding officers located and arrested the suspect near the scene. It was later determined that the suspect was, in fact, high on PCP. The suspect was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death.
Officer Ken Wrede was born in Chicago on February, 1957, and raised in Anaheim. He graduated from Katella High School in 1975 and went on to attend Fullerton College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1978. Officer Wrede was hired by the West Covina Police Department in 1980 as he finished the Orange County Police Officer’s Academy at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. He married his wife, Denel, in 1982. While employed with the West Covina Police Department, Officer Wrede was assigned as an officer in the Patrol Division.
Officer Wrede is survived by his wife (Denel), father (Kenneth) and three sisters (Nicki, Karen, and Kerry). Ken’s mother Marianne passed away in 2015. Officer Wrede was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Covina Hills. The City of West Covina named “Wrede Way” after Officer Wrede in 1985. In 2007, the portion of the Interstate 10 freeway from Grand Avenue to Vincent Avenue was named the “West Covina Police Officer Kenneth Scott Wrede Memorial Highway” in honor of Officer Ken Wrede’s service and sacrifice to the City of West Covina.
The mission of the West Covina Police Department is to provide the highest level of service and protection to the community and to cooperatively enhance public safety as the Department progresses into the future.
The core values of the West Covina Police Department is easily remembered using the acronym CITE. CITE stands for the following:
Pay a Parking
Pay a Booking
File a Police Report
Dispute a
Dispute a
Dispute a
