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Fallen LAPD officer Nicholas Lee receives posthumous Purple Heart

October 2, 2015
Lee Heung-jae, right, receives a Purple Heart from LAPD Chief Charlie Beck for the services of his son, Nicholas Lee, who was killed last year during patrol. (Choi Kyung-geun/Korea Times)

Lee Heung-jae, right, receives a Purple Heart from LAPD Chief Charlie Beck for the services of his son, Nicholas Lee, who was killed last year during patrol. (Choi Kyung-geun/Korea Times)

By Park Ju-yeon

A Purple Heart was awarded posthumously to Los Angeles Police Department officer Nicholas Lee Thursday.

The ceremony — “Above & Beyond” — held inside Dolby Theatre and hosted by the Los Angeles Police Foundation, saw 200 police officers, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck in attendance.

Lee was one of 25 honorees. His medal was given to his father, Lee Heung-jae, and his wife, Cathy Lee.

“I’m still devastated by the loss of my beloved son, but I’m thankful for the medal and for all the people who came out for him,” Lee Heung-jae said.

Nicholas Lee was killed during patrol in March last year after his car was hit by a dump truck.

He was 40 years old and had served in the LAPD for 16 years.