Bay Area

Memorial Service Held in Castro Valley for Oakland Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

On Wednesday morning, a memorial service was held at 3Crosses Church in Castro Valley to honor the memory of Tuan Le, an Oakland police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Dec. 29. Le was fatally wounded during an attempted burglary at a cannabis dispensary and was rushed to Highland Hospital where he died of his injuries hours later.

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Oakland Post

Officer Tuan Le

By Magaly Muñoz

Le was fatally wounded during an attempted burglary at a cannabis dispensary and was rushed to Highland Hospital where he died of his injuries hours later.

Family, friends and members of the community, including Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, gathered at the church to pay tribute to the dedicated and passionate officer they will dearly miss.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke about Le’s desire and courage to keep Oakland safe for everyone.

“I didn’t have the privilege or the opportunity to personally know Officer Le, but I didn’t have to in order to know that he loved this city, and that this city loved him,” Bonta said.

Bonta added that in the wake of the tragedy, many people shared stories about the type of person Le was, describing him as a passionate, bright smiling, cheerful, and dependable individual. He acknowledged that California is in debt to the courageous law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect and serve their communities.

Hundreds of people filled the seats and waited outside 3Crosses to pay their respects to the family and friends of Le. Several people, including the Interim Police Chief of OPD and Le’s family, spoke during the service.

Interim Chief Darren Allison choked up with tears while sharing the time he spent knowing Le during his service at the police department.

He recalled the day that Le graduated from the police academy in February of 2020, where he nervously pinned a badge on the new officer who had long aspired to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a police officer.

“As I successfully pinned his badge, I remember the newly minted Oakland police officer Tuan Le and his broad smile as he beamed with pride in achieving his lifelong dream,” Allison said.

Allison shared that he had begun reflecting on the difficulties and sacrifices inherent in their job b, as many do when faced with tragedies like e, asking himself “If this is how it ends, why do we answer the call?” He acknowledged that while the job isn’t glamorous, officers like Le knew that the community depended on him to keep the chaos at bay and that the job was a calling only few would understand. The sacrifice that Le made will be immortal and he will be deeply missed.

Le was born to a single mother in Saigon, Vietnam before immigrating at seven years old to Oakland. He graduated from Oakland High School and received his bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. He worked at OPD for four years before his untimely passing.

His cousin, Jennifer Ky, tearfully shared a childhood story of young Le before he moved to the U.S., where he asked his mother to buy him an apple and his mother’s hesitancy because of how tight their finances were at the time. She ultimately decided to buy it for Le, knowing it would be the last time he would be in Vietnam.

Le, who Ky jokingly said had never been shy about eating even at seven years old, chose to wait and share the apple with his two cousins who he’d been living with as a farewell gesture before leaving for a new country.

“This was the kind of person Tuan was at seven years old and at 36 years old,” Ky said through her tears. “From childhood to now, we will always remember Tuan for his willingness to share his time, making the effort to bring us together.”

The speeches were followed by a flag and badge ceremony presentation for his wife and mother, with a final radio call shortly afterwards.

The memorial service ended with a procession of officers, guests and family lined up outside the church to follow Le’s casket to his final resting place after a flyover tribute.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.