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Vigil for Tuan Le, Oakland officer killed
A vigil was held for slain Oakland police officer Tuan Le, who was shot in the line of duty while working undercover near a cannabis dispensary.
OAKLAND, Calif. - A Buddhist ceremony was held Friday morning in honor of an Oakland police officer killed in the line of duty.
Buddhist nuns recited and chanted prayers in a somber ritual for Officer Tuan Le at a vacant office space at the Pacific Renaissance Plaza on Ninth Street.
"We're here with our hearts grieving, he has helped all of us get here together," said Stacey Archuleta-Bart, an Oakland police chaplain.
Oakland police officers were among those who stopped by. Many in attendance signed memory books, leaving thoughts of remembrance and condolences.
Le was working undercover when he was shot and killed while responding to a cannabis burglary along Oakland's Embarcadero. Two men have been arrested and charged with murder.
"Losing Officer Le is also like losing a family member," said Oakland Chinatown leader Carl Chan.
Le was of Vietnamese descent, but Chan said the broader Asian American community considered him one of their own, an officer as comfortable in West Oakland as he was in Little Saigon.
"He was able to, having his big smile, his language ability, understanding of our culture, so he was able to bridge the gap," Chan said.
"Officer Tuan Le really exemplified what it looks like to be a public servant for our communities," said Jennifer Tran of the Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce.
Le was "very instrumental in bridging that divide between our Asian community and the Oakland Police Department," said Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam.
Le was once honored for saving a life. But even before he joined the police department, the Oakland High graduate had already had deep connections to the community.
"So he's been very much a part of serving this community, and he's ultimately given his life in service to this community here in Oakland," said Jayson Landeza, an Oakland police chaplain.
A public memorial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Three Crosses Church in Castro Valley.
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan