A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who remains hospitalized after being beaten unconscious at a Lakewood mall last week was identified Wednesday as Brandon Love, a 13-year veteran of the department, officials said.
A photo posted to the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station’s Facebook page shows a letter said to have been dictated by Love to his wife to share with the deputy’s supporters.
“My name is Deputy Brandon Love. On Day One of the incident I was told it was highly possible I would never walk again. A few days out I am making progress and my hopes are high. Thank you all for the support and positive thoughts. Love you all,” said the letter, signed by his wife, Nicole.
Another post on the station’s Facebook page says Love made a video thanking the "guardian angel" who intervened during the attack.
Love, a married father of two young children, was responding to a domestic disturbance call at Lakewood Center Mall on Friday night when a 21-year-old man struck him in the back of the head and knocked him to the floor, sheriff’s officials said.
The assault continued until a bystander pushed the suspect off Love, who was lying in a pool of blood, officials said.
Love was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Sheriff’s officials said he suffered "life-changing" injuries.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
Frankie Estrada, 21, was charged Tuesday with attempted murder of a peace officer and other felony counts, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
