Officer Steve Gomez was one of the unsung heroes of the infamous 1997 North Hollywood shootout, where two heavily armed bank robbers unleashed a barrage of automatic fire on outgunned LAPD officers and terrified civilians. In the face of overwhelming danger, Gomez (in his blue running shorts) and his partners displayed extraordinary bravery, charging into the line of fire to help stop the the suspects, armed only with AR-15s and body armor ill-suited for the robbers' armor-piercing rounds. For his courageous actions during this high-stakes confrontation, Sergeant Gomez was awarded the LAPD's Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor. He was one of 18 officers recognized for their bravery during the shootout. Gomez retired in 2010 after a distinguished 33-year career with the LAPD, including 21 years with SWAT. At the time of his retirement, he was the last active-duty officer who had directly confronted the suspects during the North Hollywood shootout.

Make: Colt

Model: Colt Rail Gun LAPD SWAT Commemorative

Serial Number: CLA41540020

Year of Manufacture: 2017

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Single Action, Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: White-dot front blade, dovetailed, Novak-style two-dot rear square notch, dovetailed and screw-set.

Stock Configuration & Condition: Black and gray G10 grips with LAPD SWAT eagle logo. Sharp checkering. No cracks or notable wear. Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Black Cerakoted Stainless Steel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: Bright, sharp rifling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: About 99% finish retained with faint handling wear. Sharp screws, clear markings. Excellent overall.

Mechanics: Functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Markings: Slide: “LAPD SWAT 50th Anniversary Commemorative Issue” and “COLT RAIL GUN”, Frame: “COLT’S MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and serial “CLA41540020”, Slide top: LAPD SWAT logo.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Includes one Colt 8-round magazine, blue hard case, and manual. Original invoice confirms this pistol was sold directly to Steve Gomez. The consignor, Gomez himself, provided a signed Certificate of Authenticity.

Our Assessment: Colt’s 1911 design has endured for over a century, earning its place among the most iconic and battle-proven service pistols in history. In 2017, Colt released one of its most advanced iterations of the Government Model—the Rail Gun—in a limited commemorative run to honor the 50th anniversary of the LAPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics unit.

This pistol, number 20 of only 133 produced, carries unique significance even within its limited production. Its serial number, CLA41540020, incorporates “4154”—a direct reference to two historic LAPD SWAT incidents: the 1969 Black Panther standoff at 41st and Central and the 1974 shootout with the Symbionese Liberation Army at 54th and Compton. These events not only helped shape the identity of the SWAT program but also cemented its reputation as one of the most capable and influential tactical teams in the world. That same numeric tribute—41 and 54—also flanks “SWAT” on the unit’s eagle-logo grips.

What is notable about this LAPD SWAT Commemorative Colt is its owner, Steve Gomez, a 33-year LAPD veteran, who spent most of his career assigned to the SWAT Team. He was involved in numerous high-profile and high-risk SWAT operations during his service, but his most recognized contribution came during the North Hollywood Bank of America shootout on February 28, 1997. Gomez and his two partners drove directly from the Police Academy to the unfolding scene and straight into the line of fire. At the time, Steve had just completed his pre-watch workout and was wearing only his blue gym shorts, his tactical vest, and carrying a shoulder weapon when he began engaging one of the suspects from their moving police vehicle. The televised gun battle ended with the suspects neutralized and became a defining moment in modern American policing.

Steve is a two-time recipient of the LAPD’s Medal of Valor—the department’s highest commendation for bravery—an honor awarded to only a few officers in its celebrated history. His first was earned during a vehicle assault and hostage rescue that saved two female hostages. His second was for his role in the North Hollywood shootout. For collectors, this offering is a rare convergence of tactical excellence, historical gravity, and personal valor.