Behind the Badge
She was only 18 months old when her father was killed in a drug sting.
Now all grown up, Ashley De La Rosa stood next to her mother, Leslie, to serve cake at a commemorative ceremony June 20 marking the 25th anniversary of the death of her father, Fullerton Police Det. Tommy De La Rosa.
There were no lengthy speeches at the 2 p.m. ceremony — just brief comments from Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes about the huge sacrifice De La Rosa made for the community, and the huge sacrifice Leslie and Ashley De La Rosa have made over the years.
Mostly, there was quiet reflection and shared memories among the attendees at last Saturday’s ceremony, including some FPD retirees who drove more than 400 miles to pay homage to their late friend and colleague.
Fullerton Police Officer Miguel “Sonny” Siliceo, left, Officer Richie Herrera and Cpl. Scott Moore raise the flag during a commemorative ceremony in front of the Fullerton Police Department honoring fallen Det. Tommy De La Rosa, who was killed in the line of duty on June 21, 1990.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Hughes called June 21, 1990 “one of the darkest and saddest days in the history of the Fullerton Police Department.”
Regarded not only as one of the best undercover detectives in Fullerton and Orange County but also the state, De La Rosa died after being shot fives times when he was ambushed while posing as a narcotics trafficker.
Tommy De La Rosa
De La Rosa returned fire, killing one of the suspects. Three others remain behind bars with life sentences.
De La Rosa died trying to stop criminal drug dealers who were distributing thousands of dollars of narcotics into the community. Along with Officer Jerry Hatch, he is the second Fullerton officer to be killed on duty.
De La Rosa, who served two combat tours in Vietnam and is a Purple Heart recipient, was one of 164 cops killed in the line of duty nationwide in 1990.
“For some of us,” Hughes said, “it seems like it was just yesterday that he was walking these hallways and making fun of us and telling funny stories and showing that tremendous smile that he had, and talking about how he couldn’t wait to spend time with his family on the weekend.”
Hughes noted that De La Rosa was passionate about talking to at-risk kids about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of staying in school.
Fullerton Police officers attend the June 20 ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“The impact he made in our lives is what truly matters,” Hughes said.
Two years ago, the FPD dedicated a police car in De La Rosa’s memory — unit 811.
Also two years ago, a banner was put up on Commonwealth Avenue, near PD headquarters, in De La Rosa’s memory.
And soon, Hughes said, the 5 and 91 freeway interchange will be designated the Fullerton Police Det. Tommy De La Rosa Memorial Interchange.
Fullerton Rotary South donated $5,000 for the signs, Hughes said.
Hughes’ family and other attendees at the June 20 commemorative ceremony also will receive a challenge coin created in De La Rosa’s memory.
“As a police family, none of us can really comprehend the sacrifices the De La Rosa family have had to endure,” Hughes said.
“What we can do,” he added, “is make sure these sacrifices are never forgotten.”
Photographer Steven Georges contributed to this story.
Police Chief Dan Hughes addresses the crowd. Photo by Steven Georges
Fullerton Police Explorer Chris Chevalier holds up a display of a commemorative memorial coin that is being commissioned by Chief Dan Hughes to honor Fullerton Police Officer Tommy De La Rosa 25 years after he was killed in the line of duty.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Members of the Fullerton Police Department raise the flag during a ceremony in front of police headquarters June 20 honoring Fullerton Police Officer Tommy De La Rosa, who was killed in the line of duty on June 21, 1990.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Leslie De La Rosa, Tommy De La Rosa’s wife, left, and his daughter Ashley stand next to a cake during a memorial gathering for fallen Officer Tommy De La Rosa.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
