San Jose (CBS SF)-On Thursday morning, family, friends and former colleagues from several police stations in the Bay Area gathered to commemorate Kevin Nishita, a beloved security guard and former colleague. Police officer, he was killed while protecting news workers from Oakland gunmen.
Hundreds of participants attended the 2-hour and 1/2-hour memorial service, starting with the bagpipe parade that led the family into the San Jose Civic Center at noon on Thursday.
Xiangdao of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple is led by a priest to chant sutras and burn incense during the Dharma ceremony.
Xiang Dao said: "It is too difficult for such a great man to be taken away from us suddenly." "He is alive, so we don't have to live in fear of violence. He deserves our thanks, and we can't thank him enough. "
Nishida left his wife, stepson and adopted daughter. His children took the stage to mourn.
"He is really like a father to me," said his daughter Maureen Campos. "He really played the protective role of his father."
Campos told the crowd that Nishida and his wife Virginia adopted her after she lost her parents. During the milestones in Campos, the couple continued to accompany Campos, including when she graduated from college and when she became a mother.
Nishida's son Enrique Serrano talked about how he admired his father's professional ethics and unwavering dedication to his family.
"When I was growing up, my mother used to tell me,'You are the master of the house,'" Serrano said. "I tried my best, but I am still far from ready to take care of my family. I hope he knows that I am better because of him. Thank you, Kevin, for teaching me to be a man in my family. I am now ready to take care of my family. So take a good rest."
On the one hand, Nishida was there-through his own words. He wrote his own eulogy and prepared for his death. It was read by an old friend he met in college.
"Hello, my name is Kevin Nishita, and I want to introduce myself to you," Scott Lawrie read. "I married Virginia, Gina, and we have two children."
Nishita wrote about his childhood, his career and family-on Thursday he was surrounded by a large group of Nishita friends, who they called "heroes."
"Regarding the squid game, for my player 1, we will always love you, my classmate Nishida," said Nishida's wife Virginia.
Nishida was described by colleagues at the Colmar Police as an "energetic model police officer". His nickname is "Turbo" and it is easy to establish contacts with community members.
Commander Sherwin Lum said that Nishita, who is 5 feet 3 inches tall, is a "fighter with a lion heart", but is also known for his indiscreet antics for the Colmar Police Department.
"You are a hero for all of us. You touched so many people and you know how to put a smile on our faces. I thank God for allowing us to cross the road. Like most of our police departments, I know that heaven is understaffed. , More guardian angels are needed. God always seems to pick the best," Lum said.
Nishita served as a San Jose police officer from 2001 to 2012. While there, he worked as a gang investigative detective and a game/deputy department.
San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata said that Nishida was brave and always put others in front of him before the shooting on November 24.
"His infectious smile, enthusiasm for serving others, and unparalleled professional ethics embodies the best of all of us. As a patrol, gang detective and individual, Kevin sets an example of bravery, kindness and dedication To help San Jose become a better place for everyone."
"Kevin's kindness, experience and dedication prepared him for the final mission," Mata said.
Nishita is working as a security guard to protect the KRON-TV news team, covering a recent robbery in a clothing store in Auckland, when an attacker tried to steal the radio's camera equipment.
He was shot when he fell to the ground and injured his lower abdomen. Nishida died of injuries at 4:39 am on November 27th.
Oakland homicide detectives continue to investigate the shooting. They posted photos of the shooting suspect escaping from the car, but did not disclose other details.
The police stated that the suspected vehicle was a white 4-door 2004-2008 Acura TL with a sunroof and no front license plate.
Suspicious vehicles in the deadly Oakland Security Shooting (OPD)
Suspicious vehicles in the deadly Oakland Security Shooting (OPD)
Before his death, Nishida made sure that his organs would be donated.
His daughter Maureen Campos (Maureen Campos) said: "He is always at the top, but this is what you like about him, because you can always rely on him."
Throughout his career, Nishida has also provided security to KPIX journalists, and they have fondly remembered his kindness.
"He is a member of our news family. The loss is huge," KPIX reporter Maria Cid Medina said on Saturday.
She also participated in the commemoration and paid tribute to Nishida on Wednesday.
Kevin Nishida wrote his eulogy before his death. Now, an old friend is reading it at a memorial service in front of hundreds of people.
He also planned part of the funeral.
In the eulogy, Kevin wrote about his education, career and love for his family. pic.twitter.com/EBlgrdHjhg
-Maria Cid Medina (@MariaKPIX) December 9, 2021
A trust fund has been set up to help Kevin's family. If you want to donate:
Kevin Nishita Trust Fund Metropolitan Bank 381 8th Street Oakland, CA 94607
The trust account number is 116020591, and the routing number is 121141343.
Deposits can be made in any metropolitan bank. For more information, please visit www.met.bank.