Randal David Simmons was born on July 22, 1956 in San Bernardino, California to Matthew and Constance Simmons at Norton Air Force Base Hospital. Randy spent the first two and a half years of his life overseas while his father was stationed in Sembach, Germany. When the family returned to the states, they settled in Long Island, New York where Randy attended elementary school. Randy was introduced to Christ at an early age where the values of being obedient and helping others were instilled in him. On Saturday mornings, it was not uncommon for Randy and his family to visit neighborhoods in the community to share the Gospel and extend help to all who were in need.

His family would eventually move back to California in 1970 where Randy attended middle school and graduated from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. After graduation, he received a football scholarship to attend Washington State University in Pullman, Washington where he earned a bachelors of Arts in Sociology. Randy started at cornerback listed at 5 foot 11, 180 pounds his senior year in 1978 for the Mighty Cougars and finished that season with 39 tackles and an interception. Randy loved playing football during his time spent at Washington State and built very special relationships with his teammates that would last a lifetime.

After the season he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers before deciding to decline in an effort to tryout for the Dallas Cowboys. Eventually accepted as a walk-on, he was unfortunately one of the last players released during the Cowboys’ training camp due to an injury. Randy found victory in disappointment, as this feat eventually became a simple stepping stone in comparison to what he would accomplish during the next chapter of his life.

Accepting that it was not the Lord’s plan for him to play football professionally, Randy, having a heart for children, served as a substitute teacher prior to pursuing a career in law enforcement.One day while walking in downtown Los Angeles he was asked if he was a police officer. Randy said that he was not, but the gentleman’s reply was that he looked like one being physically fit and of strong stature and that he should consider law enforcement as a profession. This encounter was the inspiration that led Randy to inquire and sign up the very same day to be a Los Angeles Police Officer, not knowing that he would serve the next 27 years of his life where the Lord had predestined him to be all along. What followed was the rise of a man that would eventually became one of the finest officers of the Los Angeles Police Department.

On January 26, 1981 Randy graduated from the Los Angeles Police Academy, and proceeded to take his first assignment on May 17, 1981 in the Pacific Division. Soon after, Randy was transferred to the 77th Street Division on July 25, 1982. The South Bureau Gang Squad welcomed Officer Simmons on May 1, 1983 and he would eventually return to the 77th Street Division in 1984. In August of the same year, Randy relocated to the Southeast Division where he worked Vice on his way to beginning his tenure with the Metropolitan Division on July 20, 1986.

The highly elite SWAT Team welcomed Randy in 1988, where he would eventually be promoted to a Squad leader, Randy also traveled and served as a respected SWAT trainer across the country sharing his knowledge and the skills that he learned with various law enforcement agencies. In addition, never abandoning his love for football created by the success of his high school and college careers, Randy continued his playing streak for the department’s illustrious LAPD Centurions football team.

An expert communicator, a calm negotiator and a cool presence under pressure, Randy possessed the ability to make even the most unwilling person comfortable. Further described by his partners and colleagues as outgoing, easy to talk to, loyal, selfless, focused, compassionate, brave, inspirational, Randy was a man who loved the Lord and had a passion for the Kingdom of God. He had a special passion for children as well. Randy had a special heart for the less fortunate, and he willingly would carry the burdens of anyone lacking the shoulders to do so.

Randy met Lisa Theresa Hunter, the love of his life, in 1989. They wed less than year later on September 15, 1990. Two years later they were blessed with a son, Matthew Excel Simmons. In 1994 they were blessed again with a beautiful daughter, Gabrielle Randi Simmons. Randy truly loved his family. He also loved his extended family Glory Christian Fellowship International where they have worshipped and served since 1994.

Randy loved to share the unconditional love of Christ with anyone that he came across, especially young children and their parents. He founded and was the director of Glory Christian Fellowship International children’s outreach called “Glory Kids”. He and his team leaders traveled on weekends to several housing projects located throughout South Los Angeles, Watts, Carson, Compton, and Long Beach to share the Gospel and to encourage kids to stay away from drugs and gangs. He would feed the hungry, pray for those who were sick, purchased clothes and furniture for people in need. His love, commitment and trust helped him establish long lasting relationships in the community.

Randy led and completed many major outreach projects such as the annual “Greatest Toy Giveaway”. It provided toys and gifts to over 1,000 children and their parents during the Christmas Holidays. He also headed a “Hallelujah Harvest Festival” which was a carnival featuring rides, games, and ministry. In addition, Randy served as senior facilitator of the GCFI Men’s Fellowship Program, “Breaking the Huddle”, where men participated by counseling and mentoring one another in their daily walk with Jesus.

Randy was blessed with the ability to live a well balanced life which included serving the Lord, being a faithful and loving husband, a devoted father and a man committed to tirelessly serving his community. He was honored with countless awards commemorating his service benefiting others. While his generous spirit will be missed, his legacy will live on forever.

Randy is survived by his loving wife Lisa of seventeen years; his son Matthew; daughter Gabrielle; father Matthew Dallas Simmons; mother Constance Simmons; sisters Val Jean Adams and Gina Davis; mother-in-law Veronica Hunter; sisters-in-law Sharon “Cookie” Sumlin and Melinda Harleaux; brothers-in-law William Davis, Jr., Wilfred Sumlin, Dwayne Harleaux; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.