LAX honor guard will escort body of diplomat killed in Haiti earthquake

A police honor guard will be at Los Angeles International Airport tonight to receive the body of a U.S. diplomat killed in the Haiti earthquake.

Victoria DeLong, 57, was a U.S. State Department cultural affairs officer assigned to Port Au Prince. She died in her home when the magnitude 7 quake struck the island nation last week, officials said.

DeLong was from California and lived in the San Diego area, according to media reports.

The six-person honor guard from the airport police will drape the coffin with a U.S. flag and carry it to an awaiting vehicle after the flight arrives around 10:30 p.m., said Sgt. Robert Richardson.

DeLong began her career at the State Department in 1983 and served in varied assignments from the Congo to Germany and the Dominican Republic, the department said.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Photo: Victoria DeLong. Credit: U.S. State Department.