Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Burton Brink, N6USO

Ham police officer injured in the line of duty

A Southern California ham, well-known for his work in helping to remove repeater jammer Jack Gerritsen, the ex-KG6IRO, from the airwaves, has been injured in a traffic accident.

This with word that Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Burton Brink, N6USO, was hurt in an on-duty traffic collision the morning of June 13th.

The accident occurred when a driver tried to exit the carpool lane on the Interstate 10 freeway. Driving in a carpool lane requires two or more occupants in the vehicle. This driver was alone and according to a report from the San Gabriel Valley Radio Club, a California Highway Patrol unit was ahead when the driver tried to avoid a ticket for a carpool violation. The driver did not check for a clear lane and collided with Brink who was on motorcycle patrol.

N6USO was admitted to the County USC Medical Center in Los Angeles where it was determined that he had sustained multiple rib fractures, a punctured lung, and lacerated spleen, as well as associated road rash. His injuries, though serious, do not appear to be life threatening.

A career law enforcement officer, Burton Brink has been with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department since 1989. Prior to that he was an Officer with Monterey Park Police Dept. from 1982 to 1989, and an Arcadia Police Explorer Cadet from 1977 to 1982.

Jack Gerritsen

N6USO is also the owner of the 145.440 MHz repeater located on Southern California's Sunset Ridge. This was one of many repeaters targeted for jamming and harassment by Jack Gerritsen during the years prior to his latest arrest and 7 year jail sentence that he is currently serving.

A trained investigator, Brink stood his ground against Gerritsen and is among those credited as helping to bring Gerritsen before the bar justice.

Get well wishes can be sent to Burton Brink, N6USO, at his callbook address.

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline