A SON'S LOVE; `HE WAS THE BEST' : BOY OFFERS SAD SALUTE FOR SLAIN POLICEMAN.

Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer

Only 7 years old, Dylon Brown insisted on speaking out Thursday, standing tall before the world and declaring how much he loved his father, an LAPD officer gunned down Sunday by a gang member.

Wearing an oversize baseball cap with ``LAPD'' in block letters, Dylon didn't cry until he finished saying what was on his mind.

``He was the best. He was a great police officer and I really loved him and I'm going to miss him,'' the boy said, standing on a chair and leaning into a forest of microphones. ``He was a nice man. . . . He just loved me so much. I didn't want him to die.''

Dylon stood at attention during the news conference, waiting patiently as city and Los Angeles Police Department leaders made tearful speeches in praise of his 27-year-old father, Brian.

And he held it together until those last two words, when he fell into his grandfather's arms in tears.

``His father would have been proud, very proud,'' said LAPD Sgt. Craig Herron, a friend and leader to the slain officer from his first days in police academy. ``That was like a little Brian up there.''

Even on the way to the news conference, Herron, who also supervised Brown at the Pacific Division, said the boy's grandfather asked several times whether he was sure he wanted to speak.

Dylon said yes, I want to talk, I want people to know about my dad, according to Herron, who was in the car with the family.

Brian Brown's father also addressed the media gathered at LAPD headquarters. ``It's only been four days since our son was killed while doing a job he loved: helping and protecting the people of Los Angeles,'' said Dennis Brown. ``My family and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their show of love and support for Brian's son, Dylon, and our family.''

Brian Brown, who was injured in Somalia while a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, died in an exchange of gunfire Sunday while chasing a drive-by shooting suspect in Culver City.

Brown's partner fatally shot the suspect, a 23-year-old gang member from Rancho Cucamonga. Officers also shot a still unidentified second suspect after a chase that ended at Los Angeles International Airport.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office released the identity of the drive-by shooting victim, whose killing kicked off the chain of events that led to the officer's death.

Gerardo Sernas, 18, of Santa Monica was described by police as an ``innocent victim.'' He did not appear to have any gang affiliation and maintained two jobs while living with his family, police said.

While Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks both mentioned Brown's superiority as an officer, Herron said he knew about the man's superiority as a single father.

Herron said that as a recruit, Brown got up at 2:30 a.m. so he could keep living in Vista, while other cadets living on the academy premises near downtown Los Angeles woke at 4 a.m.

``Brian didn't want to disrupt his son's life,'' said Herron, who was one of Brown's supervisors at the academy. ``When it involved his son, he gave everything and never asked for special favors, even though they probably would have been granted.''

Herron said Brian Brown's military experience made him a model for other officers when it came to shining shoes and looking like a law enforcer.

His son was a mirror image, standing and waiting to speak about his father like he was preparing for an inspection, wearing spotless black footwear, a neatly pressed shirt and tie and formally clasping his hands below his waist.

Even when talking about the Nintendo video-game cartridges he wanted for Christmas, the boy mentioned James Bond and other law enforcement figures.

Brian Brown received a Purple Heart after being shot in the leg in Somalia. Dylon received an honorary medal after the news conference, delivered with a hug by the state commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Brown and his wife divorced several years ago, and she lives in Texas, police officials said. She and hundreds of others are scheduled to attend Brown's funeral, scheduled for 11 a.m. today in the Old North Church at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills.Police said the Texas-born Brown will be buried at the Houston National Cemetery.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Map

Photo: (1--Color) Dylon Brown, 7, is comforted during a press conference Thursday about his slain father, Brian.

(2) Dennis, right, and April Brown comfort their grandson, Dylon Brown, during an LAPD news conference.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News

Map: MORNING TRAFFIC ALERT

As nearly 1,300 law enforcement vehicles gather at the Hollywood Bowl this morning and drive to Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, traffic in the area is expected to be impacted from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Morning commuters are advised to avoid Cahuenga and Barham boulevards near the Cahuenga Pass.

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