|
Fallen Heroes:
The 2007 California Peace Officers Memorial
Photos by Perry Speth, CCPOA State Secretary
Every year in May a huge crowd forms outside the state Capitol near the powerful statue of three 9-foot-tall,
bronze peace officers who dutifully stand their watch over all Californians. The people gather here in tribute to a profession of heroes and to honor peace officers killed in the line of duty. The memorial ceremonies have been a part of Sacramento since 1977, as part of National Police Week.
Solemn and serious, yet compassionate and friendly, the event illustrates camaraderie as far as the eye can see. Police vehicles and motorcycles, along with row after row of horse and rider fill the street in front of the west steps of the state Capitol. As the ceremony begins, family members and coworkers of officers killed in the line of duty are quietly escorted from the Capitol to the monument through a man-made walkway of peace officers representing all areas of law enforcement in California. Families and friends fill the bleachers, and listen and watch as peace officers are memorialized for the bravest of deeds. Grieving spouses and elderly parents delicately dab at tears as they fall onto their cheeks, while children fidget in their seats, some too young to grasp the fragile nature of the occasion. Many legislators and other government officials, including the governor and state attorney general, take their seats, prepared speeches in hand, and watch as the procession begins. It is one brief, yet heartfelt moment to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
If you've never attended the memorial, I recommend it. Whether you work in law enforcement or not, it will leave you proud to be a Californian, and grateful to know there are so many dedicated professional men and women up and down this state putting their lives on the line every day for all of us. You will be touched.
—Editor
IN REMEMBRANCE
The 2007 California Peace Officers Memorial honored the following twelve law enforcement officers who
were killed in the line of duty in 2006.
 OFC. RICHARD MAY
East Palo Alto Police Department
EOW: Jan. 7, 2006
OFC. EARL H. SCOTT
California Highway Patrol, Modesto
EOW: Feb. 17, 2006
OFC. G. JOHN BAILEY
California Highway Patrol, Rancho Cucamonga
EOW: Feb. 25, 2006
DEP. PIERRE W. BAIN
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department
EOW: Mar. 23, 2006
SGT. SCOTT HANSON
Covina Police Department
EOW: July 3, 2006
OFC. NICK BIRCO
San Francisco Police Department
EOW: July 26, 2006
OFC. BRENT CLEARMAN
California Highway Patrol, Oakland
EOW: Aug. 6, 2006
OFC. LANDON DORRIS
Los Angeles Police Department
EOW: OCT. 22, 2006
DEP. JEFFREY MITCHELL
Sacramento County Sheriffs Department
EOW: Oct. 27, 2006
DEP. WILLIAM HUDNALL
Kern County Sheriffs Department
EOW: Nov. 14, 2006
OFC. DAN BESSANT
Oceanside Police Department
EOW: Dec. 20, 2006
OFC. BRYAN TUVERA
San Francisco Police Department
EOW: Dec. 23, 2006
 Print This Page
Back to Volume 24, Issue 3
Back to PEACEKeeper Main Page
|
