A three-time Culver City police officer of the year was killed Wednesday on the eastbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway in the Palms area when his car was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver, who also died in the collision, according to the CHP.

The collision that took the life of Culver City police Sgt. Curt Massey occurred about 5 a.m., just west of National Boulevard, the California Highway Patrol reported.

"Curt was a very special police sergeant and friend,'' Chief Don Pedersen said of the 17-year veteran of the department. "He was kind, thoughtful and always went out of his way to help others. He was a consummate professional. He will be missed by all the members of the Culver City Police Department, and the community today has lost a dedicated police sergeant.''

Massey, 41, was the sergeant assigned to the Juvenile Detective Bureau and was dedicated to programs for at-risk teens, Pedersen said. He had been a mentor for youth in the Juvenile Diversion program, the CCPD School Resource Officer program and the annual Santa's Sleigh program.

Massey had a wife and children ages 3, 8 and 10, Pedersen said.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Luevano, Massey was driving east on the Santa Monica Freeway when his 2009 Dodge Charger collided with a 2006 Toyota Camry being driven the wrong way by Luis Palma, 21, of Van Nuys. Massey's car burst into flames. Both drivers died at the scene.

The eastbound freeway was shut down for hours as investigators descended on the scene. Two westbound lanes were also closed. At one point, eastbound traffic was backed up for about four miles, and streets throughout West Los Angeles were snarled with motorists trying to find alternative routes during the morning rush hour.

The closure extended until shortly after noon, when all lanes were reopened.

Police and fire crews on the scene paused and saluted when Massey's flag- draped body was removed from the wreckage and loaded into an ambulance.

CHP dispatchers began receiving reports about the wrong-way driver moments before the crash occurred, said CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos.

KFWB-AM (980) reporter Pete Demetriou told ABC7 that he was driving east on the freeway when he saw a car approaching him, going west in the eastbound lanes.

"I cringed,'' Demetriou said. "I took one look and said, 'Oh, my God. This guy is gonna hit somebody.' Fortunately, I was over two lanes, but even so I'm thinking, it's just a mater of seconds ... maybe a minute or more, he's gonna run into somebody who's coming in the fast lane or coming in lane two.''

Massey had more than 100 commendations in his file. He had received a medal of valor and was the department's officer of the year three times, Pedersen said.

"Curt Massey was a 17-year veteran, devoted husband, father and committed public servant,'' Pedersen said. "Mostly he was a friend and trusted colleague who could always be counted on to be the first one to volunteer for an assignment, to help anyone out or just be there for you as a friend.

"Curt had a very deep and special interest in working with the youth in this community and outside this community. He was very active in our juvenile diversion program, and he touched the lives of hundreds of young men and women in this city.''

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, whose district includes Culver City, described Massey as "a dedicated police officer.''

"I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to Sgt. Massey's wife, his three young children, his family, friends and co-workers,'' said Bass, who urged Culver City residents to keep the Massey family in their thoughts and prayers.

A fund to assist the Massey family was established at the Culver City Federal Credit Union, 9770 Culver Blvd. Checks should be made payable to the Sgt. Curt Massey Memorial Fund.