In record-breaking heat Wednesday, West Hollywood came together one more time for Deputy Brian Sneed.
Deputies, firefighters, jail personnel and community members packed the front parking lot of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station on San Vicente Boulevard for a fundraiser barbecue benefiting Sneed’s family. Nobody seemed to mind the temperature. The tables filled up anyway.
Department leadership showed up in force. Captain Fanny Lapkin was there. So were Assistant Sheriff Johnson, Chief Kopperud and Commander Seetoo. Sneed’s father Danny and brother Shaun — both LASD deputies — stood beside his portrait surrounded by blue and white flowers in the station’s courtyard.
It was the second fundraiser barbecue for Sneed’s family in less than two weeks. The first was held at Universal Studios’ Sub-Station, where ALADS organized and Universal handled the grilling and hosting. Wednesday’s event was closer to home — right outside the station where Sneed spent more than a decade serving the West Hollywood community.
“He will be missed by West Hollywood station and community,” Sgt. Omar Luevano of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station told WEHOonline.
Sneed, 37, drowned in a rafting accident in El Salvador on Feb. 13 while on vacation with his family, WEHOonline has learned. A funeral service was held March 7 at Calvary Chapel Downey, followed by burial at Rose Hills Memorial Park. Sheriff Robert Luna called him “a model deputy” who was disciplined, professional, and strove to treat people with dignity.
The community still has a chance to help. The ALADS C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is accepting donations through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Every dollar goes directly to his family. Donations can be made at donorbox.org/support-the-family-of-deputy-brian-sneed. The tax ID is 45-3275658.
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