Remembering the Sacrifices

Remembering the Sacrifices

by Ryan Sherman, CCPOA Communications Division

On October 16, CCPOA held its annual statewide memorial for peace officers killed in the line of duty at the Mission Inn in Riverside, to coincide with the quarterly CCPOA State Board of Directors meeting.

Guest speakers for the evening ceremony included State Senators Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, and Gloria Negrete-McLeod, D-Chino. Special keynote speaker was San Bernardino District Attorney Mike Ramos, the prosecuting attorney in the C.O. Manuel Gonzalez murder case.

Ramos discussed the challenges and difficulty of prosecuting such a case, and his deliberations in deciding to seek the death penalty. After spending hours with members of the Gonzalez family and consulting with his legal team, Ramos said he determined that justice demands pursuit of the death penalty in this case, regardless of the legal obstacles, exorbitant costs and reliance on the jury system.

Sen. Padilla offered his condolences to those who have lost loved ones over the years in state service. The senator also expressed his sincere thanks to California's correctional peace officers for the "dedication, honor and integrity they demonstrate" in maintaining and protecting our state's citizens from those who would do us harm.

Sen. Negrete-McLeod also spoke of her appreciation of the ultimate sacrifices made by the state's correctional peace officers, and thanked CCPOA for the opportunity to work with us on her legislation that we helped to get passed and signed into law. The law, Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, designated a five-mile segment of Highway 71 near Chino as the Correctional Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway.

The resolution read in part:

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Highway Route 71 between State Highway Route 60 and Central Avenue in San Bernardino County as the Correctional Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway.

"This measure honors the memory of California Correctional Peace Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez who was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 10, 2005, at the California Institution for Men at Chino," stated Sen. Negrete-McLeod.

Thankfully, there were no new names added this year to the roster of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their duty to keep Californians safe. But the Association's tradition has been that CCPOA's board of directors, elected officers and other members hold an annual event to honor the memory of those who have been killed in the line of duty since California's statehood.