The grief-stricken parents and the life partner of 35-year-old Spree Desha visited LAPD's North Hollywood station, where the fallen officer worked for three years. They spoke out Monday afternoon about their loved one, describing her as a standout officer with a bright future, an outstanding person.
"If she were here today, she would say, 'What's all the fuss about? I'd rather go down in the line of duty in gunfire rather than through a tragic accident like this,'" said Spree's father, Alan Moran.
"I know that she would have been glad that she was in her uniform on duty coming home," said Spree's mother, Sha Moran.
"She felt proud to be able to ride the train in uniform," said Alan. "That was something she wanted to do. It was her choice."
Officer Desha recently switched positions in the LAPD and began working in downtown headquarters. She was off-duty Friday, riding the Metrolink commuter train when it crashed.
In a touching scene hours after the collision, LAPD officers and rescue personnel saluted her flag-draped body as it was removed from the mangled wreckage.
Monday, Desha's life partner gave a glimpse of the type of person Desha was.
"I know everybody says this about everyone they love, but she was an incredible person," said Laura Gerritsen, Desha's life partner. "She would give anything for anybody at any time, and do anything for anybody, and she was just such a giver, very straightforward and not a bone of hate in her body."
Serious but quick-witted is how Officer Desha was described at the memorial. She has a quiet determination, she was very thoughtful, and had a bright future with the police department. She will be buried on Thursday.
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