Officer Daniel Pratt
EOW: September 3, 1988

On the night of Sept. 3, 1988, Officer Daniel Pratt and his partner, Officer Veronica Delao Jenkins, were on an undercover stakeout at the Pine Liquor Store in South Los Angeles, when they heard what they thought were two shotgun blasts. They then heard rapid gunfire. Seconds later, they saw the headlights of the car that just minutes before had been involved in a gang-related drive-by shooting, leaving three people wounded. Pratt and his partner radioed their observations to communications and began their observation of the suspect’s vehicle.

A short chase ensued with Pratt and Jenkins taking cover at a gas station and adjacent car wash at Florence Ave. and Crenshaw Blvd. As Officer Pratt called for backup, the suspects’ car made an abrupt U-turn, and headed toward the two officers. As gunfire erupted from one suspect’s AR-15 assault weapon and bullets began to strike the police car, Pratt returned fire. As he fired the last round from his 9-mm service pistol, he took a fatal round, dying instantly.

The LAPPL has sent a letter to the Parole Board pleading that the driver of the car, Raylene Brooks, who was convicted of first-degree murder of a peace officer, be denied parole.

As we have said all too often in recent months, it is crucial to the security of the state of California, and to the safety of the men and women who enforce its laws, that the murderers of police officers must forfeit their freedom for life when they kill a law enforcement officer. Join us in asking that Brooks’ parole be denied and in saying a prayer for the Pratt family, whose pain will never go away.

Please submit a personal letter to the Parole Board as soon as possible, indicating that you oppose the parole of inmate Raylene Brooks - CDC W40103, and mail to the following address:

Parole Board Central Calif. Women's Facility
Classification and Parole Rep. life/desk
23370 Road 22
Chowchilla, CA 93610

We will never forget.