Officer Philip Taclas Sudario was a true family man. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for his wife, three kids, three siblings, and extended family. Whether it was a birthday, an anniversary or even the smallest of occasions, Philip made it feel special. Married to his wife, Jonalyn, for 31 years, he never forgot the importance of date nights. He was very involved in his children’s lives. Son Jacob cherishes all the time he got to spend with his dad when they would carpool together. Philip would drop him off at school on his way to work. Philip loved hosting theme parties, dancing, and DJing. His son, Joshua, says he inherited his passion for music from his father. One of Joshua’s favorite memories is when he and his dad went to see a rock band from the Philippines perform live in concert when the band came to California. Philip was also a barbecue master, known for his delicious steak and smoked baby back ribs. His daughter, Phylicia, looked forward to any time she could cook or bake with her dad. As a kid, Philip played baseball, basketball, and football, and continued to be an avid sports fan as he aged. A Los Angeles native, Philip remained committed to his L.A. teams: the Rams, Lakers, and Dodgers. He was also a fan of the New Zealand All Blacks international union rugby team. Philip likely didn’t appreciate any athletic activity more though than coaching his two sons in basketball and football when they were little.

Philip grew up in the Watts area of Los Angeles and graduated from Gardena High School in 1986. That same year, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. It must have been meant to be because that’s where he met his future wife. Philip and Jonalyn married at the end of 1989. He was assigned to Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM). In 1995, Philip received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. In 1997, after completing his probationary period, he was assigned to the Southeast Division in South L.A. where he grew up. Officer Sudario worked various assignments, including patrol and community relations. He even received a medal for expert shooting. Philip passed away on January 25, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19. He served the Los Angeles Police Department and his native L.A. for 25 years. Officer Sudario was a Police Officer II when he died.

Philip’s brother, Paul Jr., says his “favorite memories with Phil would be our daily phone calls and how we would always crack jokes together, either on the phone or in person at family gatherings. Phil would always brighten up a room with his jokes.” Let us remember Officer Philip Taclas Sudario as that bright light bringing joy to those who were fortunate enough to know him. May he rest in peace and love.