OFFICERS CITED AS HEROES.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

From a 14-year veteran to a 4-month rookie, the Los Angeles police officers who came to the aid of the victims in the North Valley Jewish Community Center shootings were honored as heroes Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Commission.

``They are true heroes who speak modestly of their actions in performing their duties,'' Commission President Gerald Chaleff said of the officers who were among the first to arrive on the scene at the Granada Hills facility.

Even eight days after the rampage, Sgt. Timothy Surrette said he remains traumatized over what he encountered when he ran into the building and saw 16-year-old Mindy Finklestein laying wounded on the ground.

``I knew we had a major incident,'' Surrette said. ``I could see and smell and taste the gunpowder. I'm still not over it.''

Surrette, who arrived four minutes after the first call came in, was credited with organizing officers at the scene and bringing in more help from around the city.

Eventually, some 200 officers - as well as agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms - would be on the scene looking for the suspected killer, Buford O'Neal Furrow Jr.

Officer Dean Thompson, a member of the force for 11 years, said his first thought was of his 5-year-old son, Garrett.

``We went in on the west side where we were told the suspect was last seen headed,'' Thompson said. ``When we didn't find anyone, we went into the building and saw (Mindy) with leg wounds. A paramedic was right on our tail and he took care of her.

``We went in the other rooms and I saw the 5-year-old (Benjamin Kadish) bleeding badly. I went out and got another paramedic, who asked me if the area was clear. I told him, `No. If I go down, duck.' Then we took care of the little boy.''

Fire Chief Bill Bamattre said such actions probably saved Kadish's life.

``We talk about the golden hour of getting care for someone in critical condition,'' Bamattre said. ``We were able to get that little boy to a hospital in 15 minutes.''

Both Thompson and his partner, Officer Misty Goodnight, who has been on the job four months, returned to the Jewish Community Center on Monday when it reopened.

``It really helped,'' Thompson said. ``It was like a closure seeing how strong everyone was. They were scared, but they were prepared to fight and take steps to take care of themselves.''

Goodnight said she still was processing the experiences.

``I'm not sure if it all has hit me,'' she said. ``But it was good to see all the kids and families and see how thankful they were. That helped a lot.''

Police Commissioner Raquelle de la Rocha said the actions of the officers were an example of how well the department responded.

``These were heroes on the scene, but there were so many other actions to calm the parents and get information to them,'' De la Rocha said.

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Photo: Honored LAPD officers and partners, Dean Thompson and Misty Goodnight, were among the first to arrive on the scene of the shootings at the North Valley Jewish Community Center. ``They are true heroes who speak modestly of their actions in performing their duties,'' said Police Commission President Gerald Chaleff.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer