Erica McAdoo
Photograph of Erica, obtained from LAPD Custody Service Division.
Erica McAdoo loved bringing joy to others, and she often did so through cooking. In 2016, Erica and her mother, Donna Royston, founded Redd’z BBQ, an Oklahoma-style barbeque catering service specializing in chicken, ribs, hot links, and homemade sides.
“They would make food bags for the homeless people,” Erica’s uncle Lamont Royston told the LA Times. “Their friends would come over and they would all go out together to pass out food, just out of the kindness of their hearts.”
Born in Oklahoma in 1981, Erica used Redd’z to carry on the legacy of her grandmother Ruth, who passed on her love of cooking hot meals from scratch to her children and grandchildren.
“I have a passion for making people happy and feel good from the inside, out,” Erica wrote on Redd’z Yelp page. “My reward is seeing people dance a little when they eat.”
Photograph of Redd’z BBQ employees, obtained from Redd’z BBQ.
It was Erica and her mother’s dream to open a food truck next. That dream was tragically cut short by COVID-19. On July 3rd, Erica passed away of coronavirus complications after a 98-day battle in intensive care.
“She had everything going for her,” said Keith Royston, another uncle, to the LA Times. “She was 39 years old, and this virus took everything.”
When Erica passed away on July 3rd, 52 people incarcerated in California had already fallen victim to COVID-19. But she was the first Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) employee reported to have died from the virus, having contracted COVID-19 not long after her promotion to senior detention officer. Driven by a desire to serve her community, Erica began her career in the Coast Guard before becoming a custody services officer.
She was remembered by her Custody Service Division colleagues as a “hero” in a July 4th Facebook post. An Instagram statement by the division reflected how Erica was “part of a new generation, raising the standard and level of expectations for our personnel. Always with a reassuring smile and calming disposition, Erica’s presence - and absence was felt.”
“If one of the ultimate goals in life is to make a difference in the lives of others, Erica accomplished that. Our Division, and it’s personnel are better because of her time and her commitment,” the statement continued.
Photograph of Erica, courtesy of LAPD Custody Service Division, by way of KTLA.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office shared in grieving the loss by ordering Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff the Monday after Erica’s death.
“I can't begin to tell you all what the loss of my daughter and friend has done to me, my heart will forever be broken and changed,” Donna wrote on Facebook following Erica’s passing. “She was such a loving, caring person with an infectious smile that would light up any dark room and I miss her everyday so much.”
This memorial was written by MOL team member Ethan Ehrenhaft with information from reporting by Chace Beech for the Los Angeles Times and Kristina Bravo for KTLA.
The LAPD 77th Family organized a GoFundMe page in support of Donna and Erica’s family. You can contribute here.
