Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will pay tribute to Michael “Mike” Lemestre, a fallen member of its Power System team, with a five-minute department-wide “Stand Down” on Thursday, November 18, 2021 starting at 10:52 AM. All work will be halted department-wide to honor our team member who died in the line of duty. The Board of Water and Power Commissioners will hold a special meeting beginning at 10:30 AM to observe the “Stand Down,” in solidarity with our employees and labor partners.

Mike died on November 4, 2021 as a result of injuries sustained when he came in contact with an energized circuit in an underground vault. He was working as part of a cable splicing crew performing electrical service work at Terminal Island in Los Angeles. His co-workers pulled him from the vault and heroically tried to revive him by performing CPR, until the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene. Paramedics transported him to the hospital but unfortunately, he did not survive.

LADWP General Manager Martin Adams has directed all LADWP employees to stop work at all job locations for five minutes and think of Mike and other lineworkers who have died in the line of duty, performing work in service of the City and its residents. During this time, employees have also been asked to reflect on the importance of the vital and hazardous work that many LADWP workers perform every day. The “Stand Down” will be preceded and followed by remarks from the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, executive management, leadership from IBEW Local 18, and Mike’s friends and family.

Last week, Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered all U.S. flags at City facilities, including LADWP facilities, lowered to half-staff to recognize Mike’s sacrifice.

Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., Board of Water and Power Commissioners Special Meeting Honoring Mike Lemestre.

At 10:52, the Board, along with the entirety of LADWP, will observe a five-minute “Stand Down,” halting all work across the Department to honor our fallen employee.