Deputy David Alan Powell, 42, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was killed on November 30, 2002, in Artesia, California. At about 10:30 a.m. he and a partner responded to reports of gunfire near 166th Street and Elaine Avenue. A man fled into a home and took a woman hostage; when Deputy Powell attempted to breach the door the suspect fired two shots from inside. One round struck Powell in the right arm, passed through an opening in his vest, and entered his chest. He died about 90 minutes later at St. Francis Medical Center.

Responding officers shot and killed the suspect at the scene. Investigators concluded the suspect had acted alone and had taken the woman hostage during a domestic dispute; no other arrests were made. Powell had served 18 years with the department and was survived by his wife, four daughters, his parents, a brother, and seven grandchildren.

Was anyone in the Artesia neighborhood that morning aware of unusual activity near 166th and Elaine before the shooting?