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.

By Magaly Muñoz
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.
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.
Activism
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.
Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.
Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.
Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.
The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.
Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.
Activism
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