Doomed Calif. SWAT sergeants didn't expect an AK-47

Editor’s Note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and fellow officers of Oakland (CA) PD Sgt. Daniel Sakai, Sgt. Ervin Romans, Ofcr. John Hege and Sgt. Mark Dunakin, who were shot and killed over the weekend. During our recent conversations with the agency about this incident, we have made them aware of your many comments and we have assured them that officers as far away as Afghanistan are standing with them in support during this difficult time. Anyone who would like to make a contribution to trust funds set up for the families may do so by two methods — wire transfer or by check. Wire transfers may be made directly to the following Merrill Lynch accounts: The Dunakin Children's Family Trust, Acct. No. 204-04065; The Romans Children's Family Trust, Acct. No. 204-04066; and The Sakai Family Trust, Acct. No. 204-04064. No fund had been set up as of Monday afternoon on behalf of Hege, who had no children. Individual checks can also be made out to the families and mailed to the Oakland Police Officer's Association, Attn: Rennee Hassna, 555 5th Street, Oakland, CA, 94607. Make checks payable to the Dunakin Children's Family Trust; the Romans Children's Family Trust; Sakai Family Trust.

By Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross
San Francisco Chronicle

OAKLAND, Calif. — When Oakland police Sgts. Ervin Romans and Daniel Sakai burst into an apartment on 74th Avenue on Saturday, they knew they were entering a dangerous situation. After all, they were looking for a man who had already killed two police officers.