LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Flags at the state Capitol in Sacramento will be flown at half-staff in honor of the Los Angeles Police Department officer who died over the weekend following a training accident, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Five-year LAPD veteran Houston Ryan Tipping died Sunday after suffering a spinal cord injury during training at Elysian Park Academy last Thursday, according to LAPD Chief Michel Moore
  • Tipping, 32, worked out of the Devonshire Division
  • Moore called Tipping “a bright and uplifting young man with a full life in front of him"

  • Moore also said the department was conducting an investigation into the accident to identify any steps it can take to make sure a similar tragedy does not occur again

The officer — five-year LAPD veteran Houston Ryan Tipping — died Sunday after suffering a spinal cord injury during training at Elysian Park Academy last Thursday, according to LAPD Chief Michel Moore.

Tipping, 32, worked out of the Devonshire Division. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Shirley; his stepfather Bob; his siblings Kat and Tyler; and his girlfriend, Brittany, according to the LAPD.

“Jennifer and I are terribly saddened to learn of the tragic death of Officer Tipping from a training accident,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday, referring to his wife.

“We join all Californians in mourning his loss and extend our deepest condolences to Officer Tipping’s family, friends and coworkers.”

According to Moore, Tipping was working as a bike instructor in a scenario that involved grappling with another officer.

During the exercise, Tipping fell to the floor and suffered a spinal cord injury. Other officers present initiated CPR until Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived.

Moore called Tipping “a bright and uplifting young man with a full life in front of him.”

In a Twitter statement over the weekend, the chief expressed “Grief, sorrow and sadness,” and added, “May God Welcome him home & comfort his family, friends & partners. Our work continues in a profession that, at times, calls for a cost that is so very high. Blessed are the Peacemakers.”

Moore went on to write, “As we grieve this terrible loss, our thoughts are with the family of Officer Tipping, his Devonshire area family, and the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department during this difficult time,” Moore said.

“True to his character of unending service, Officer Tipping is an organ donor. Over the next few days, his selflessness will save other lives.”

Moore also said the department was conducting an investigation into the accident to identify any steps it can take to make sure a similar tragedy does not occur again.

The LAPD Protective League released a statement over the weekend saying, “Today, our city lost one of its young heroes, LAPD Officer Houston Tipping. A five-year veteran, Officer Tipping patrolled the neighborhoods of Devonshire and worked as a bike instructor. He loved serving as a police officer and is remembered by his friends and family for how he loved and made people laugh.”