Steven Gerald Gajda was a 29-year-old Los Angeles Police Department officer who was killed on January 1, 1998, after being shot in the head while on duty. He had served with the LAPD for seven years and was assigned to a task force working to prevent celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve. While officers approached a chaotic party to issue warnings, several gang members fled. Officer Gajda chased one individual who appeared to have a weapon in his waistband, and during the ensuing struggle the suspect shot him.

Two officers returned fire and killed the 17-year-old assailant, who had been wanted for murder since March 1997. An investigation examined the circumstances and the officers’ actions and concluded they acted in self-defense; no charges were filed. Officer Gajda’s funeral drew over 2,000 attendees. He left behind a wife and two children. Does anyone have memories of Officer Gajda or information about that night to share?