Ken and Jennifer Krainman, Chief Michel Moore, Sonya Ward and Michael Sellars at the 2019 Twice a Citizen Gala
Editor’s note: The following is the text of the eulogy delivered by Karla Ahmanson at the memorial service for Michael Sellars on July 30.
Good afternoon. On behalf of the family and the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation, thank you for being here today to honor the life and legacy of Michael Sellars. Michael’s life was anchored by loyalty and love, unshakable in friendship, utterly devoted to family — both those who were his family and those he chose as family.
Michael was born on October 12, 1962, and grew up in Canoga Park. He often said how lucky he was to be adopted by Bobby and Joyce Sellars. His parents had so much love to give that soon after they brought Michael home, they gave him a little sister, Jennifer, whom he adored. Michael often said his childhood was a happy one, filled with love. And Joyce? Let’s just say I wish I’d known her — because of that silly nickname she gave herself. If you know, you know. She seemed like a real kick in the pants!
Michael loved TV, watching shows like The Partridge Family, The Brady Bunch and Gilligan’s Island. But his absolute favorite was — who wants to say it? I know you all know…. Adam-12! And it was Policeman that was his favorite childhood game.
Michael had the first of many romances when he was about 9 years old, with the girl across the street. I believe her name was Becky. Like many young loves, theirs came with grand plans that included marriage, but Becky broke his heart when she ended things … because he couldn’t swim.
Music was always in the background at the Sellars home. Joyce was a Sinatra fan, and music became one of Michael’s lifelong passions. He eventually picked up playing the guitar.
Michael grew up and became the first in his family to go to college, paving the way for Jennifer. Michael was so proud of her, especially when she became Dr. Jen! Protective older brother that he was, he ultimately approved of her boyfriend Ken and welcomed him into the family. When Jen and Ken expanded their family, first with Tatum, then with Liam, Caleb and Adam, Michael stepped enthusiastically into the role of uncle. He especially admired Tatum’s zest for life. And with his nephews approaching the age when he had lost his own father, Michael was especially eager to be the wise uncle, ready to dispense life advice and guidance.
Back to Cal State Northridge, where Michael added to his chosen family, because it was there, in his sophomore year, that he met his lifelong friend, Mike Polydoros.
Perhaps it was growing up just over the hill from the bright lights of Hollywood that sparked Michael’s pursuit of a career in entertainment. He rose to senior executive roles at Artisan Pictures and Lionsgate Films, and, most recently, served as chief operating officer at West Coast Film Partners.
Lionsgate took him all over the country and even to Europe. He loved seeing the world — except Arkansas, which wasn’t his favorite. He called those his “go-go years”: fly out Monday, work hard all week, return home, work an LAPD shift Saturday night, go out with friends afterward, sleep Sunday and do it all again on Monday.
One of those work trips took him to Salt Lake City. Michael was a little early to meet his client and had to wait for him. The client’s admin assistant was a very pretty blond girl. Michael, being Michael, spent the wait time striking up conversation and flirting with her. By the time he left the client, he had not only secured the sale, but also the pretty girl’s phone number. Thus began his second big romance, after Becky, of course. Sonya captured Michael’s heart and held it to the very end.
Sellars and Ahmanson at the 2019 Twice a Citizen Gala, which featured some special guests because it was held on May 4, popularly known as “Star Wars Day”
But, this wasn’t his greatest romance — no, we are not going to have a Coldplay moment here — because Michael’s greatest romance was with a lady in blue, the Los Angeles Police Department.
In May 1993, Michael joined the LAPD Reserve Corps and became a fully sworn Level I reserve police officer, carrying out the same duties as his full-time counterparts in Hollywood Area Patrol. Michael loved it so deeply that, in later years, he sometimes wished he’d joined the Department full-time. His partners can attest to his professionalism and deep commitment to public safety. Michael was a protector, a servant and a man of profound integrity. For over two decades, he wore the badge — not as a symbol of authority, but as a promise: to his city, his department and his community.
In 2008, Michael became the editor of The Rotator, the Reserve Corps’ in-house newsletter. It became his mission to document the Corps’ rich history. Under his leadership, The Rotator earned national recognition and multiple awards.
Through his research, he uncovered the stories of two fallen reserve officers, Norbert Huseman and George Mogle, whose sacrifices had gone unrecognized. Thanks to Michael’s work, both officers were posthumously awarded Purple Hearts.
In 2009, Michael joined the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation, where our paths crossed. By 2013, we became co-presidents of the Foundation. Neither of us really wanted the job. But when I proposed a partnership focused on revitalizing the Foundation and advocating more strongly for the Reserve Corps, Michael agreed — initially for just a two-year term.
Little did we know this was the start of a passion project for us both. Michael found deep purpose in advancing the mission of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation, and we spent the next 12 years with the shared goals of modernizing the Foundation, building new programs and expanding its support for the Reserve Corps. Michael spearheaded the Reserve Officer and Volunteer Memorial Garden and led the creation of the Reserve Officer Individual Service Ribbon.
I had the privilege of knowing Michael not only as a colleague, but as a dear friend. We shared countless hours of conversation — not just about work, but about the everyday stuff of life: what we were having for dinner, the state of the world and, yes … cat videos.
Now, before you assume I was the crazy cat lady and Michael was merely humoring me, let me tell you — this all started with my very unusual cat, Six, who has six toes on each paw and likes to cool off by lounging in the sink. Michael dubbed him “Sink Kitty” and, soon after, decided it was the perfect name for a band.
Remember that I told you about Michael’s lifelong interest in music? Well, that included that he wrote songs. It was one of his dreams to someday write a hit song. Michael crafted little tunes about the escapades of Sink Kitty and had an entire persona built around the band. Recently, they had just released a blues album (complete with harmonica accompaniment). It became a running joke, but also another thread in the rich tapestry of our friendship.
Michael wasn’t just my friend; he became part of the foundation of my life. We shared memories, milestones, strange conversations, laughter, quiet moments and unwavering loyalty. Losing Michael feels like losing a piece of myself. The world is quieter without his voice, and the days feel less full without his daily phone call.
Michael wanted to make a difference. And to my dear friend, if you’re listening — look around. You did make a difference. In every person here. In the lives you touched. In your example of what it means to be a good man.
Michael served with honor, protected with courage, led with conviction and loved with a full heart.
His watch has ended.
But his legacy will live on — in all of us.
