LAPD bicycle training death lawsuit doesn’t convince jury
A jury on Wednesday found in favor of the defense in a lawsuit brought by the parents of a late Los Angeles police officer who alleged that he was intentionally killed by a colleague during a bicycle training exercise in 2022.
The plaintiffs are Shirley Huffman and Richard Tipping and the estate of their son, Houston Tipping. Officer David Cuellar is a co-defendant with the city. The Los Angeles Superior Court panel cleared both defendants after three days of deliberations.
Pasadena-born Houston Tipping joined the LAPD in December 2017. He suffered a spinal cord injury during a Bicycle Patrol School training exercise on May 26, 2022, and died three days later. (Photo courtesy of LAPD)
Bradley C. Gage, Huffman’s attorney, said an appeal will be filed.
According to the suit, on May 26, 2022, Cuellar and Tipping were participating in a class as part of the LAPD‘s Bicycle Patrol School at the Elysian Park Academy near Dodger Stadium. During a training scenario between the two officers, Tipping suffered a spinal cord injury and died three days later.
Los Angeles Police Department officers carry the casket of LAPD Officer Houston R. Tipping at the beginning of his memorial service on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Houston Tipping’s sister Kat and father Richard attend the Los Angeles Police Department’s ceremony honoring fallen officers at LAPD Headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Tipping died last year in a training accident according to officials. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Houston Tipping’s sister Kat touches his photo after family and friends left flowers for him at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Memorial Wall during LAPD’s ceremony honoring fallen officers in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Tipping died last year in a training accident according to officials. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Houston Tipping’s father Richard leaves a rose for him at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Memorial Wall during LAPD’s ceremony honoring fallen officers in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Tipping died last year in a training accident according to officials. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mayor Eric Garcetti, center, and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore give a final salute to LAPD Officer Houston R. Tipping at his memorial service on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Los Angeles Police Department officers carry the casket of LAPD Officer Houston R. Tipping at the beginning of his memorial service, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. Officer Tipping died Sunday, May 29, after being injured in a training accident. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Los Angeles Police Department officers carry the casket of LAPD Officer Houston R. Tipping at the beginning of his memorial service on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Fellow Los Angeles Police Department officers carry the casket of LAPD Officer Houston Tipping at the end of his memorial service, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Los Angeles. Officer Tipping died Sunday, May 29 after being injured in a training accident. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
A picture of Los Angeles Police Officer Houston Tipping is set on the deck where his memorial was held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Los Angeles. Officer Tipping died Sunday, May 29 after being injured in a training accident. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Fellow Los Angeles Police Department officers carry the casket of LAPD Officer Houston Tipping at the end of his memorial service, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Los Angeles. Officer Tipping died Sunday, May 29 after being injured in a training accident. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
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Los Angeles Police Department officers carry the casket of LAPD Officer Houston R. Tipping at the beginning of his memorial service on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
The suit also alleged that Tipping had previously taken a report from a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted, and Tippings’ parents contend that Cuellar committed the crime and that he purposely injured Tipping in retaliation for undertaking an investigation.
The 32-year-old, Pasadena-born Tipping joined the LAPD in December 2017.
Defense attorneys also disputed the extent of the parents’ damages.
