Former interim LAPD Chief Martin Pomeroy dies

The Los Angeles Police Department on Friday mourned the death of Martin Pomeroy, a man who spent 32 years rising up the ranks to deputy chief and came out of retirement in 2002 to serve as interim police chief.

While the LAPD did not confirm Pomeroy’s age, he was believed to be around 78.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Interim Chief and Deputy Chief Martin Pomeroy,” Chief Jim McDonnell said Friday. “Throughout his decades of service with the Los Angeles Police Department, Martin exemplified the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and dedication to the people of this city.”

Pomeroy began his LAPD career in 1969 and served as a deputy chief from 1993 until he retired in December 2000. He came out of retirement in May 2002, at age 56, to lead the department on a temporary basis while officials conducted the search to find a replacement — William Bratton — for ousted chief Bernard Parks.

“Appointed as the LAPD’s 53rd chief during a time of transition, Marty brought steady leadership, fairness and a deep understanding of law enforcement’s vital role in our communities,” McDonnell said. “Though he once humbly described himself as ‘so vanilla,’ those who knew and served alongside him recognized the depth of his character, the strength of his principles and his unwavering commitment to justice. Whether overseeing police operations at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, leading disaster response efforts after the 1994 Northridge earthquake or guiding the department through a period of change, he was a respected and steady force.”

“From the street-level officers to the detectives and the command staff, you have been a breath of fresh air and brought about a boost in morale in this organization that was lacking for such a long period of time,” said then-Councilman Dennis Zine, a 33-year LAPD veteran.

When he stepped down in October 2002, the chief said he was grateful for the opportunity to return to the city and the department he had served for so long.

“If there has been any good work done here in the past six months, it is less of myself and more of our officers,” Pomeroy said. “I have been enriched far beyond anything I’ve received for my service.”

The exact date, location and cause of Pomeroy’s death was not immediately released.