ALTHOUGH RETIRED, KEVIN NISHITA DIED A HERO COP

Retired cop fatally shot in robbery attempt of TV crew’s equipment in Oakland 

 

By Patrick Reilly

 

New York Post

November 27, 2021

 

 

Retired police sergeant Kevin Nishita was fatally shot by alleged robbers trying to steal television equipment near downtown Oakland  

 

A retired police officer has died after he was shot during an attempted robbery while providing security for a Bay Area television news crew covering the latest in a rash of smash-and-grab thefts.

Kevin Nishita, was shot in the abdomen during an attempted robbery of KRON-TV’s camera equipment near downtown Oakland on Wednesday, police said.

He was employed as an armed guard for Star Protection Agency and provided security for local reporters.

On Wednesday, he was reported to be hospitalized in stable condition, but succumbed to his injuries days later. His body was escorted from the hospital “with full law enforcement honors,” the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office tweeted.

“We are devastated by the loss of security guard and our friend, Kevin Nishita. Our deepest sympathy goes to Kevin’s wife, his children, his family, and to all his friends and colleagues,” KRON-TV’s vice president and general manager, Jim Rose, said in a statement issued Saturday.

No arrests have been made, however cops are offering a reward of $32,500 for information that leads to the arrest of Nishita’s killer. Oakland Police released a photo of the suspect’s vehicle: a white, four-door 2004-2008 Acura TL with a sunroof and no front license plate.

 

Retired police officer Kevin Nishita was acclaimed during his years in service and worked his way to a sergeant position

“This senseless loss of life is due to yet another violent criminal act in the Bay Area. We hope that offering a reward will help lead to the arrest of those responsible so they can face justice for this terrible tragedy,” Rose said.

Nishita served in the San Jose Police Department from 2001 to 2012, where he worked as a gang investigations detective and the department’s gaming/vice unit.

He then joined the Colma Police Department, where he served until his retirement in 2018. He received several awards in his six years at the department, where he served as a detective and field training officer, earning a promotion to sergeant in 2015, the department said. He also spent time with the Hayward Police Department.

“We are heartbroken and mourning the passing of retired Colma Police Department Sergeant Kevin Nishita. Kevin was part of our San José Police family for eleven years wearing the San José Police patch with great pride,” San José Chief of Police Anthony Mata said in a statement on Saturday.

“His contagious smile, passion to serve others, and an unmatched work ethic embodied the best of all of us. As a patrol officer, gang detective, and as a person, Kevin modeled bravery, kindness, and dedication helping make San José a better place for everyone.

“We must work together and stay committed to stop senseless violence and the loss of precious life and hold those committing these acts accountable,” the chief said, adding that flags will be flown at half-mast until his funeral.

 

Many officers across California police departments paid tribute to fallen retired cop Kevin Nishita.Colma Police Department

 

Violence has surged in Oakland, with Nishita’s death marking the city’s 126th death due to violence, police said. It is now under investigation by the Oakland Police Department’s Homicide Section.

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REAL LIFE BITES A NEWS CREW IN THE BUTT IN OAKLAND

By Bob Walsh

TV news crews use expensive equipment.  Due to people walking up, shoving a gun in their faces and taking their equipment in many urban areas those news crews are now protected by armed security, virtually always retired cops.  One of the guys I used to work with has that for a retired gig and it pays him tolerably well.  (I am guessing the thieves often sell the equipment back to the insurance companies involved as it might be hard to sell it on the open market when that stuff is all numbered and presumably traceable, unless they have a market where nobody cares about such things.)

Kevin Nishita was a retired cop and was protecting a SF news crew that was filming a crime story in Oakland the day before Turkey Day when it went sideways.  Somebody tried to rob the news crew of their equipment.  It ended up with Kevin Nishita dead.  All the cops have is a pretty good description of a very common get-away car, at least as far as they are letting it be known at this time.  

Since CA no longer has a felony murder rule it may be difficult to prosecute any of the offenders for murder even if they are caught.  All they have to do is say I DIDN'T SHOOT HIM and proving otherwise is now very, very difficult.