Cullins, an explosive ordinance disposal officer, had recently recovered from a concussion he suffered July 16 while dismantling another roadside bomb.
Buoyed by his friends' messages and by the accompanying music video dedicated to him, Cullins bounced back quickly. But on Tuesday, his friends learned that he had Cullins died trying to disarm another bomb.
Police sources told the Los Angeles Times that Cullins was killed by a secondary bomb as his unit was investigating an earlier explosion.
A Marine Corps reservist, Cullins was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment in Marja, in Afghanistan's dangerous Helmand province.
A two-part “Welcome Home” video for Cullins includes personal messages from Chief Charlie Beck to rookie patrolmen, telling "Josh" they were looking forward to seeing him back at work in Los Angeles.
"There are no words to express how we feel," Capt. Daryl Russell said Tuesday. Russell commands patrol officers at the downtown Central Station and he was Cullins' LAPD boss.
"I'm so sad this has happened to a kid who really had a bright future with this police department," Russell said. "This is a total loss to this city and this country."
Cullins was being courted by the LAPD's bomb squad because of his expertise dismantling bombs with the Marine Corps Reserve, Russell said.
After his concussion, Cullins returned to the field as quickly as doctors would allow, Russell said.
"He'd put in his time and could have had a desk job," Russell told The Times. "He continued wanting to be out with his fellow Marines, doing the job every day he strapped on his boots."
Russell commissioned the "Welcome Home" video. Officer David Marroquin, who has video production experience, recruited a friend, actor- musician J. Hunter Ackerman, to write and perform music for what became a nearly five-minute video.
The video was shot at the Salton Sea, the Farmers Market on Third Street, local police stations and from the top of the 52-story Gas Co. tower downtown.
Cullins is survived by his parents, Jim and Barbara Cullins; and brothers, Cooper, 12, and Donovan, 16.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Here's what appeared on the LAPD website, www.LAPDonline.org:
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LAPD Officer Joshua Cullin |
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Roadside Bomb Kills LAPD Officer Serving in Afghanistan
from LAPD
October 20, 2010
Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department regrets to report that on October 19, 2010, an improvised explosive device (IED) killed Police Officer II Joshua Cullins on active military service in Afghanistan.
Cullins was 28 and joined the Marines immediately after graduating from high school in June 2000. He had served initially on an active-duty basis till August 2007 and then became a reservist in August 2008.
He had served two tours of duty in Iraq and was currently serving his second tour of duty as an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the First Marine Logistics Group, First Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 2nd Battalion and 9th Marine Regiment in Marja in Afghanistan's treacherous Helmand Province. Cullins had been decorated with several combat medals and awards for his service in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
With only two days left in the field before a replacement would have relieved him, he was killed by an IED. Complete details of his death have yet to be provided by the United States Department of Defense. |
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Cullins had recently recovered from injuries he suffered in July of this year when a device he was disarming exploded. To cheer him up, fellow police officers created a get-well video to encourage him in his recovery. LAPD Officer David Marroquin, a talented video producer off duty, created two videos. The first one is a high-quality, uplifting video incorporating get-well messages from LAPD personnel and others outside the Department to express their gratitude for Cullins' service. It also includes thoughts and prayers for his quick recovery.
For the second video, Marroquin enlisted the help of an actor-musician friend, J. Hunter Ackerman, who wrote a song with Cullins in mind. Both then collaborated to turn the song into a moving music video entitled “Welcome Home.” Both videos were presented during a special tribute to U.S. troops last month at the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles.
Cullins joined the LAPD in 2008. Upon graduation from the Police Academy, he was first assigned to patrol duties in the Department's Topanga Area and was currently serving at Central Area. “He was very dedicated and personable,” said LAPD Bomb Squad Officer Steve Hennigan, who was a close personal friend of Cullins. “He had the kind of personality that attracted people to him, and he truly excelled in the Department. He would have been a perfect fit for the Bomb Squad. We were greatly looking forward to having him onboard.”
Cullins is survived by his father and step mother, as well as two younger brothers, ages 12 and 17. Arrangements for memorial services are still pending and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2010/10/roadside-bomb-kills-lapd-officer-serving-in-afghanistan.html |
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