Mervin King
Encyclopedia
Mervin Paul KingLA Times Obituary for Mervin Paul King, was a Captain for the Los Angeles Police Department
who commanded officers during the SLA shootout in 1974.
of World War II
on both the USS Hutchins, a Fletcher class
destroyer
and the USS Markab
, a destroyer tender
.
(Serial Number 3224), and appointed Captain
in 1970, he completed 30 years of service before retiring in 1976. During is career with LAPD
, King served at Accident Investigation Division, Newton Street Division, Central Traffic Division, 77th Division, and North Hollywood Division prior to retiring from Detective Support Division in 1976.
he received more than 50 Commendations from both Department and outside agencies for his dedication to duty and recognition from outside law enforcement agencies. He never once received a personnel complaint. His recognition included that of the Los Angeles City Council
for supervising the investigation of the Alphabet Bomber and a improvised explosive device
detonated at Los Angeles International Airport
. Commanding police efforts in the 1974 S.L.A. shootout led him to be commended by the City Council
again for his supervision of the Symbionese Liberation Army
investigation, one which "broke the back and thrust of the SLA
".
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
who commanded officers during the SLA shootout in 1974.
Biography
King was born August 1, 1914 in San Francisco, CA as the only child to the late George and Geneva King. He honorably served in combat operations in the Pacific TheaterPacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
on both the USS Hutchins, a Fletcher class
Fletcher class destroyer
The Fletcher class were a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The class was designed in 1939 as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
and the USS Markab
USS Markab (AD-21)
USS Markab was a Hamul-class destroyer tender named for Markab, the third-brightest star in the constellation Pegasus.Built as the cargo ship Mormacpenn by Ingalls Shipbuilding Company of Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched 21 December 1940; acquired by the United States Navy on 2 June 1941 at...
, a destroyer tender
Destroyer tender
A destroyer tender is a ship designed to provide maintenance support to a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships. The use of this class has faded from its peak in the first half of the 20th century as the roles of small combatants have evolved .Due to the increased size and automation of...
.
LAPD career
Appointed in 1946 as a Policeman for the LAPDLos Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
(Serial Number 3224), and appointed Captain
Police captain
- France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant....
in 1970, he completed 30 years of service before retiring in 1976. During is career with LAPD
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
, King served at Accident Investigation Division, Newton Street Division, Central Traffic Division, 77th Division, and North Hollywood Division prior to retiring from Detective Support Division in 1976.
SLA
Throughout his service the Los Angeles Police DepartmentLos Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
he received more than 50 Commendations from both Department and outside agencies for his dedication to duty and recognition from outside law enforcement agencies. He never once received a personnel complaint. His recognition included that of the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
for supervising the investigation of the Alphabet Bomber and a improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
detonated at Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
. Commanding police efforts in the 1974 S.L.A. shootout led him to be commended by the City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
again for his supervision of the Symbionese Liberation Army
Symbionese Liberation Army
The Symbionese Liberation Army was an American self-styled left-wing urban militant group active between 1973 and 1975 that considered itself a revolutionary vanguard army...
investigation, one which "broke the back and thrust of the SLA
Symbionese Liberation Army
The Symbionese Liberation Army was an American self-styled left-wing urban militant group active between 1973 and 1975 that considered itself a revolutionary vanguard army...
".
Personal
King spent the greater part of his life as a resident of Alhambra, CA, dedicated to his wife Pauline of nearly 68 years, and their family including children Terence Michael King, Thomas Patrick King, and Kathryn Mary (Brandlin). He died on March 18, 2008 in South Pasadena, CA. An admirable leader in law enforcement, he is remembered most for his genuine soul characterized by selfless compassion, commitment, and charming wit. .LAPD Ranks
- Appointed Policeman February 25, 1946
- Appointed Sergeant June 6, 1952
- Appointed Lieutenant December 21, 1961
- Appointed CaptainPolice captain- France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant....
July 12, 1970 - Retired December 26, 1976