Funeral Held for LAPD Officer Killed in Traffic

Law enforcement officers joined thousands at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels Thursday to mourn the death of the officer killed last week after a large truck crashed into his patrol car. 

Officer Nicholas Lee was killed last Friday while on duty in his patrol car with another officer on Loma Vista Drive and Robert Lane in Beverly Hills. The other officer was taken to the hospital and released Saturday. 

Mayor Eric Garcetti, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and Gov. Jerry Brown were present at the mass to speak about Lee's impact on the city of Los Angeles. 

"When I look out on the sea of blue," said Beck, "I see him. He was an essential part of the LAPD. He was  one of us. He was the best of us. But more importantly, we are him."

Lee is survived by his wife and two young daughters.

His borther, Daniel Lee, also spoke saying, "His daughter asked, 'Who's going to take me to the father-daughter dance? That's when it all hit me. Well, Jalen, I'm going to take you to the dance."

The Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union has established a memorial fund in Lee's honor. For information on how to contribute, click here.