Someone knocked down and vandalized on Friday a sign on Interstate 580 that honors the four Oakland police officers who were shot and killed in 2009, the deadliest day in the department’s history.

The sign, which sits on the eastbound shoulder near the Keller Avenue overpass, honors Sgt. Mark Dunakin, Officer John Hege, Sgt. Ervin Romans and Sgt. Daniel Sakai.

“This outrageous act of disrespect does not represent the majority of our community’s feeling about the Oakland Police Department,” said Officer Johnna Watson, agency spokeswoman. “We have received overwhelming support from many people in recent weeks regarding our hard work, dedication and professionalism during these difficult times.”

Watson added, “The sign will be repaired, and the officers’ sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

Capt. Ersie Joyner said a colleague called him Friday afternoon after seeing that the sign had been knocked down and that a large red “X” had been scrawled over the slain officers’ names. Joyner said he responded to the scene, as did Assistant Chief Paul Figueroa, and the two of them turned the sign over so that no one would be able to see the defacement.



It was unclear when the damage occurred.

“It’s extremely disheartening to see four individuals who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the community and their memories be disgraced like that,” Joyner said. “This reiterates the fact that we really have a long way to go to repair our damaged relationship with some in this community.”

Dunakin and Hege, both motorcycle officers, were fatally shot by wanted rape suspect Lovelle Mixon during a traffic stop in East Oakland on March 21, 2009. Hours later, while holed up in an apartment building, Mixon shot and killed Romans and Sakai of the department’s SWAT team.

Mixon, who had been in and out of prison for robbery, battery and assault with a deadly weapon, was then fatally shot by police and an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy.

In March 2012, the third anniversary of the tragedy, family members of the slain officers were on hand at the side of the freeway during a solemn ceremony unveiling the signs, one for each side of the freeway. The sign on the westbound side was not affected.

Follow @henryklee

