Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Friday issued the following statement regarding the death of Gardena Police Department Officer Toshio Hirai:

“Anne and I join all Californians in mourning the loss of Officer Hirai, whose years of dedicated service to the Gardena community will always be remembered. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and fellow officers in this difficult time.

On November 14, Officer Hirai, 34, was involved in a traffic collision while driving to work, when his department-issued motorcycle was struck by another vehicle in Harbor City. He was transported to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he died from his injuries the following day.

Officer Hirai served as a member of the Gardena Police Department for 12 years. In addition to serving as a motor officer, he was a member of the SWAT team and a traffic investigator.

Officer Hirai is survived by his wife, Kristen, and 2-year-old son.

In honor of Officer Hirai, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.