Let me refresh your (and my) memories real quick on the Sept. 2021 killing of Brandon Lopez. Really short version: After leading Anaheim police on a car chase around central county, Brandon finally stalled on the cable-car construction ditches on the Santanita street where he grew up, right by his childhood home where he was apparently heading. For hours he refused to leave the car. Finally in impatience, APD fired a flash-bang tear-gas canister into the car, waking up the sleeping suspect, who darted out and began running blindly, upon which four APD SWAT officers – Paul Delgado, Bret Heitman, Caitlin Panov & Ken Weber – shot him fatally. Turned out he was unarmed.
As the police report video later revealed, a Santa Ana officer was perched atop a Terradyne Armored Vehicle keeping an eye on the suspect during those hours, and this officer reported wrongly to the APD officers that Brandon was armed. As I thought about it over the months, I thought, “I don’t know what the *LAW* would be, but that guy was at least as responsible for Brandon’s death as the four cops who shot him thinking he was armed.” Turns out the Santa Ana cop’s name was Nelson Menendez.
And it turns out some Santa Ana cops agreed with me. Some time last year they created a satirical BOLO report lampooning and criticizing Menendez’ behavior, and posted it around the SAPD offices. We understand that black humor abounds in places like police stations and morgues. Brandon’s family (including the determined Councilman Johnathan Hernandez) does not appreciate any kind of humor being deployed anywhere near Brandon’s killing.
But to me it’s a fascinating document and window into how other SAPD cops were thinking. It’s hard to tell where the anger ends and the dark humor begins or vice versa. There are a lot of inside jokes and criticisms in regards to Menendez’ career and habits that we won’t all get. But two words do stick out like sore thumbs: MURDER and LYING.
[PC 664-187 is attempted murder. Unclear why they chose “attempted.”]
“This senior officer responded to assist Anaheim PD with a pursuit, in the city of Santa Ana, of an ‘armed’ robbery suspect in a stolen vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle got stuck on the railroad tracks at Santa Ana Blvd / Bristol St. This BOZO allegedly observed the suspect display a handgun and advised over SAPD primary radio frequency of his observations. Anaheim PD SWAT personnel responded and murdered the victim. Further investigation revealed the victim was unarmed and this ‘SENIOR’ officer was absolutely lying.
“The officer is known to set up crime scene tape, and broadcasting irrelevant information while using LA County phonetics over Green 1. (?) He counts his explorer time as time on the job and is known to frequent the POA [union – true] as well as Main Street and 15th St [gay prostitution hotbed – a joke/insult.] If located, do not Mirandize but is known to associate with Miranda. (?) Let it be noted since the incident, the suspect has not been seen doing police work, but do not take this as suspicious behavior due to this being standard since his initial hire date. The Officer has prior arrests for PC 647 – B(OY) [That is soliciting prostitution – another insult – V] and kissing off reports. If seen you can arrest, HE IS NOT DANGEROUS.” [ooo – low blow – V]
Officer NELSON MENENDEZ.
The lawsuit of the family of Brandon Lopez against both Anaheim and Santa Ana is still unfolding.
He should be charged
I remember when all the newspapers said Brandon was armed. Back then it was like Pete Hardin knew something that wasn’t public. He met with the family and I guess they shared some stuff with him that wasn’t public at the time.That was probably a bad move for Pete,even if his intentions were good. He should have stayed out of it.
All I can say is what about those victims who don’t have a powerful family member to push for an investigation? Sad.