Remembrance: Police Officer Darrell Cunningham

Remembrance: Police Officer Darrell Cunningham
Article & Artwork by Jonny Castro

On November 4, 2023, off-duty Los Angeles Police Officer II Darrell Cunningham was traveling in Northridge when a drunken driver disregarded the red signal and collided with the passenger side of his vehicle. It’s estimated that the 20-year-old suspect was traveling in excess of 100 mph at the time of the crash. Officer Cunningham and the front seat passenger were killed instantly. An off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy was a rear-seat passenger in Darrell’s car, and also suffered severe injuries. All three of them were described as lifelong friends with each other. The unconscious suspect was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He’ll be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and related offenses.

Officer Cunningham served the LAPD for just under five years and was assigned to overnight watch at the West L.A. Station. He leaves behind a fiancée, two young sons, his mother and two brothers. Darrell was described by the Chief of Police as hardworking, honest and the person you can count on to get the job done.