Officer Martin L. Ganz Memorial Highway

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There are many sections of the highway that are dedicated to the memory of an officer who had fallen in the line of duty. I drive through a section of the 405N (between Rosecrans and Hawthorne Blvds) where there's a sign posted in his memory. So I thought I'd search his name and found this....thought I'd share it. Rest in Peace, Martin.

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Freeway Sign Dedication and Memorial Tribute

December 27, 2005 11:00am

Bank Of America, Manhattan Village Mall

3200 Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach 90266

December 27, 2005, marks the 12th Anniversary of the death of Police Officer Martin L. Ganz. On this date, CalTrans will be placing two signs on the 405 Freeway, declaring the north/southbound (between exits for Hawthorne Blvd and Rosecrans Ave.) lanes as the Martin L. Ganz Memorial Highway. That morning, at 11:00 am, a sign dedication and tribute to Ganz will take place in front of the Bank of America in the Manhattan Village Mall - the spot where Ganz made his final traffic stop.

The public, members of law enforcement and press are encouraged to attend this short ceremony, which will include a few speakers and a sign unveiling.

Background

The 5-year veteran of the Manhattan Beach Police Dept was conducting a late night traffic stop in the Manhattan Village Mall. What Ganz thought was a routine traffic stop quickly turned tragic. As Ganz approached the vehicle, the driver started shooting. Ganz' nephew was on a ride-along, and witnessed the murder. After repeatedly shooting Ganz, the suspect reportedly approached the nephew, pointed and shot at him, only to have the gun misfire.

Ganz, who was engaged to be married, taught anti-drug abuse education programs in the city's elementary schools, served on the special weapons team and normally worked as a motorcycle officer. He was in a patrol car the evening of his death.

"He probably arrested more guys than anyone else in the department," said officer Gregg McMullin in an interview near the time of his death. "You name it. He arrested everybody. He was not only able to make a lot of arrests, but he worked well with kids as a DARE officer," McMullin said. "There are plenty of kids in the community that know him."

Ganz was engaged to Pamela Ham (now Schultz), a Court Clerk for the County of Los Angeles. It was Pam who spent several years trying to get legislature passed to have the freeway named in Ganz' honor. With the help of then Assembly Member George Nakano, who introduced ARC 145 on January 6. 2004 and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who signed it on August 14, 2004, Ganz had his freeway.. Pam then had to raise $8000 to pay for the two signs. It was her goal to have the signs up by the 10th anniversary of Ganz' death, but the process took a bit longer than expected. She is glad that that the work is finally done, and looks forward to the unveiling.. An extra special tribute is that the work will be completed on the anniversary date of Ganz' death.

In addition to the signs, Ganz' memory has been kept alive by members of the law enforcement community. Each year on December 27, you will find members of several different police agencies, a circling police helicopter or two, and even some locals who show up at 11:05 pm to quietly honor the fallen hero at the location where he was killed in the Manhattan Village Mall Parking Lot.

Ganz' killer is Roger Hoan Brady.. On August 1, 1996, he was extradited to Los Angeles to stand trial for the murder of Officer Ganz. On Thursday, November 19, 1998, Roger Brady was convicted of first degree murder with special circumstances for the murder of Officer Ganz. After the penalty phase of the trial, the Jury returned with a verdict of Death for Roger Hoan Brady for the murder of Officer Martin Ganz. On Tuesday, March 16th, 1999, Roger Brady was sentenced to the death penalty in Superior Court, Department L, Torrance, California.

http://bcmcmustang.homestead.com/GanzTribute.html

Edited March 10, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[JODO 2]

There is almost nothing more repugnant on this earth than a cop killer. What a nice honor for Officer Ganz. I am a member of the 100 club and I encourage anyone with a chapter in your area to join. Many of the families need the help.

[Nagishkaw 510]

There is almost nothing more repugnant on this earth than a cop killer. What a nice honor for Officer Ganz. I am a member of the 100 club and I encourage anyone with a chapter in your area to join. Many of the families need the help.

I agree.

[Ban Hammer 13,360]

There is almost nothing more repugnant on this earth than a cop killer. What a nice honor for Officer Ganz. I am a member of the 100 club and I encourage anyone with a chapter in your area to join. Many of the families need the help.

I agree.

they do an important job in america and for the most part, they get very little appreciation.