Murakami excelled at the Los Angeles Police Academy graduating in the top 10 of his class. On Sept. 9, 1968, Murakami was just three days out of the academy when he answered a call of a naked man carrying a shotgun at an apartment complex at 60th Street and 11th Avenue in South Los Angeles. It was his first call as a police officer.

According to police records, Mu­rakami and training police officer William W. Brote answered the call. Murakami, carrying a department-is­sued shotgun, carefully approached the suspect’s location. The suspect pointed a .410 shotgun out of a win­dow and fired at the Sansei officer, striking him in the head and chest. Of­ficers responding to the scene rescued Murakami and killed the suspect.

Murakami was taken to Morning­side Hospital in Inglewood where he died two hours later with his wife, Jill at his side. He was the first Asian American police officer killed in the line of duty in the United States.

“Tragedy doesn’t begin to describe it, it was his first day of work. It’s one of those things you can’t even imag­ine,” Murakami Narikawa said.

Detective Ben Lee, a watch com­mander at Rampart Station, has coordinated the effort to pay tribute Murakami. He noted at the time of Murakami’s death, there were only 20 to 25 Asian American officers in the department, all of whom attended his funeral. From that gathering the officers decided to form the California Oriental Peace Officers Association.

“For Asian Pacific Islanders in law enforcement, Gary is a fallen hero,”
Lee said. “His footprint was followed by many and his shadow has been cast on all Asian American police officers across the United States.”

On Friday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa presented a proclamation to the family, offering the city’s gratitude for Murakami’s sacrifice.

“He did leave a legacy. He left a family and a son who had children,” said Murakami Narikawa.