Streets Will Close for Funeral Procession of Rossmoor Police Officer

Several streets in Los Alamitos and Cypress will be backed up or closed this afternoon for the funeral procession of a police officer from Rossmoor, who was killed in the line of duty last week.

, 44, a seven-year Hawthorne police force veteran, was thrown into oncoming traffic after colliding with another motorcycle while escorting a funeral procession for a fellow officer.

He is survived by his wife, Tracy, and sons Grant and Garrett, ages 7 and 12.

Garton’s funeral will be held at SeaCoast Grace Church at 5100 Cerritos Ave. in Cypress at 12:30 p.m. today, and a burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress.

Beginning at about 2 p.m., the funeral procession will head from the church in Cypress to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress. Until approximately 4:30pm on Friday, June 3, 2011, the following roadways will be closed:

• Westbound Cerritos between Walker and Bloomfield.
• Eastbound Cerritos between Denni and Walker.
• Northbound Bloomfield between Cerritos and Lincoln.
• East and Westbound Lincoln between Bloomfield and Denni.
• Additionally, motorist will be unable to cross Bloomfield from the west or east between Cerritos and Lincoln.

The closures are likely to cause congestion in Los Alamitos, and notices were emailed to parents of students at Los Alamitos High School as well as Oak and McAuliffe middle schools, warning that the procession could cause delays as parents pick up their kids from school.

Garton was the first Hawthorne Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty, and hundreds of mourners are expected at his funeral.

Garton joined the police force later than most, in his mid-30s, after working as a tile installer, according to Hawthorne PD spokesman Gary Tomatani. After working as a patrol officer and SWAT team member, he became a motorcycle officer about four years ago.

In his spare time, he enjoyed camping with family and friends, fishing, and motorcycle riding with his sons, 12-year-old Garrett and 7-year-old Grant. He also helped coach the boys' baseball teams.

A trust fund was established to assist Garton's family. Donations can be made via the Western Federal Credit Union, 14500 S. Aviation Blvd. in Hawthorne, or at the Hawthorne police station, 12501 S. Hawthorne Blvd. Donations should be made out to: Officer Andrew Garton's Family, c/o HPOA, account No. 654404-006.