LAPD Sergeant Killed In 405 Freeway Crash Remember As 'True Leader'

LOS ANGELES, CA — Southland officials mourned the loss of a veteran Los Angeles police sergeant who was one of two killed in a collision on the 405 Freeway early Monday morning.

The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on the southbound freeway, just north of Moraga Drive. A truck was blocking the HOV lane in the area; the sergeant came upon the disabled vehicle and stopped, activating the rear lights on his patrol car to ward off traffic. The sergeant exited his vehicle to assist the motorist when both were struck by another vehicle, according to Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell.

The sergeant was Shiou Deng, a 27-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran, according to Mayor Karen Bass. The other motorist has not been publicly identified.

The motorist died at the scene. Deng was taken by ambulance to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Sergeant I Shiou Deng
EOW: June 23, 2025 pic.twitter.com/ISlLlhWA3L
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) June 23, 2025

The CHP issued a SigAlert at 2:22 a.m. shutting down the southbound lanes at Getty Center Drive and the Skirball and Sepulveda Boulevard on-ramps. The northbound lanes were closed at about 3 a.m. as well as the Moraga Drive on-ramp.

Northbound lanes reopened at 4:23 a.m., but southbound lanes remained closed as of 11 a.m. with traffic diverted at the 101 Freeway. Southbound freeway traffic was at a complete standstill for the duration of the morning commute.

Drivers taking Sepulveda Boulevard as an alternative were able to get back onto the southbound 405 at Moraga Drive.

Around 9 a.m. Monday, dozens of LAPD officers assembled at the Westwood hospital to take part in a procession escorting Deng's body to the medical examiner's office in East Los Angeles. Social media posts showed first responders lined up on overpasses during the procession.

"The men and women of LAPD put their lives on the line for Angelenos each and every day," Bass said. "Sgt. Deng served L.A. for more than 25 years. His last act was one of service — putting the safety and wellbeing of others above all else. ... My thoughts are with Sgt. Deng's family during this devastating time."

McDonnell hailed Deng as "exceptionally funny" and "caring to a fault" for the officers under his command. McDonnell said Deng "tried to make the situation we face as good as it can be for his officers and for the people we have the privilege to serve in our society."

McDonnell said Deng was a "true leader."

"He died a hero," McDonnell said. "He was out there caring for others, putting their safety before his own."

Flags above city buildings will be lowered to half-staff in Deng's honor, Bass said.

City News Service contributed to this report.