Story and photos courtesy Councilwoman Nithya Raman
Adieu, Dean
A retirement reception and Council presentation were held in December for LAFD Assistant Chief Dean Zipperman, who retired after 36 years of City service.
Assistant Chief Zipperman joined the LAFD in February 1986. He was promoted to Apparatus Operator in 1997, to Capt. I in 2004; to Capt. II in 2008, to Battalion Chief in 2014, and to Assistant Chief in 2020.
“In Chief Zipperman, I have found something really remarkable – a true partner in the City to help overcome our challenges,” said Councilwoman Nithya Raman on Instagram. “Since my first day in office, he has answered all of my questions, met me with the same level of urgency for protecting CD4 residents, and served as a regular source of wisdom and comfort in the many meetings and conversations we’ve had to troubleshoot various fire and life safety challenges faced during my tenure as Councilmember.
“The time he invested in understanding the way in which our office wanted to work on certain issues, and spoke up to advocate for the resources we needed as a district to address issues particularly related to homelessness and our parks allowed us to bring real change to the City.
“Today, we celebrate him and his well-deserved retirement, extending deep gratitude for his immense knowledge, courage and penchant for leadership and teamwork.
“To his family, his wife, his children, and his grandchildren, I know you’ll be grateful to have him back in your lives. To Chief Zipperman, I wish you many more mornings of sleeping in.”
Alive! featured then-Battalion Chief Zipperman in our occasional photo feature, Everyday Heroes in March 2016.
The Club honors the service and dedication of Assistant Chief Zipperman upon his retirement
