The slain officer, 26-year-old Filbert Cuesta (pictured, right), was waiting in his patrol car for more officers to arrive on scene when he was shot in the head by a sniper at about 12:30 a.m., Police Chief Bernard Parks said at a press conference.
"They wanted to wait for other officers in case the party got out of hand and they needed some more officers to close it down," said Parks, who cut short a trip to Northern California after hearing about the shooting.
The shooting happened outside a party -- reportedly attended by many gang members -- on Carlin Street in the Crenshaw area. After being hit, Cuesta managed to drive the patrol car as his female partner returned fire and dispatched for help.
About a dozen people were detained for questioning, but had been released by early this morning, Officer Samuel Rhone told The Associated Press. There was no further description of the gunman or gunmen that took Cuesta's life. There was also no immediate report of what type of gun was used although an unnamed police source told The Los Angeles Times for today's editions that investigators believe the shooter used a handgun, perhaps a 9-millimeter. Immediately after the shooting, authorities sealed off the area and launched a manhunt for the gunman, said The Associated Press. Dogs and a helicopter were brought in to join the search, and some 200 officers in riot gear were placed on tactical alert.
"What we have here is an armed suspect still in the community," said Deputy Chief Martin Pomeroy, according to wire service reports. "That's why we are taking all precautions."
"There are some very dangerous individuals on the streets of the city of Los Angeles," said Parks. "And even though we're very proud of the crime reduction in the city, (this incident) clearly indicates that there are still too many guns and too many suspects that are willing to use them against officers."
Meanwhile, Mayor Richard Riordan called the gunman cowardly. "I have a tremendous anger against the coward who murdered Filbert Cuesta," said Riordan. "A message to gang members and others is it's not macho -- it's cowardly -- to strike down a young officer in the prime of his life."
Cuesta is survived by a wife and two young children, ages 18 months and two weeks. To send condolences: To send donations:
Erik Nelson Channel 2000 Staff Writer
LAPD Officer Fatally Shot On Duty
Police Continue Massive Manhunt For Gunman
LOS ANGELES, Updated 4:05 p.m. August 10, 1998 -- A Los Angeles Police Department officer was fatally shot early Sunday morning while investigating a loud party. 
The 4-year-department veteran died of his injuries shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to Parks. 
Parks said Cuesta was an officer with the department's Community Resistance Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH) team, which specializes in gang crimes.
Cards can be sent to:
LAPD Southwest Division
c/o Capt. Brennan
1546 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Los Angeles, Calif., 90062
Sylvia Cuesta
c/o Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher
333 S. Grand Ave., Suite 4600
Los Angeles, CA 90071
attn: Tom Holliday