Sheriff Lee Baca presided over the 39th Annual Los Angeles County Peace Officer's Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, to commemorate the lives of those peace officers who died in the line of duty while serving the residents of Los Angeles County.
SHB-71A-08 | May 28, 2008
Attending the memorial ceremony were numerous federal, state, and local dignitaries, in addition to family members, friends, and co-workers of the fallen officers. Held in the beautiful Memorial Park at the Sheriff's Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center in Whittier, the ceremony included musical performances by members of law enforcement and the release of white doves on behalf of the fallen officers.
Regrettably, the following memorial plaques were added to the Memorial Wall:
Deputy Raul V. Gama, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Major Crimes Bureau, died on May 1, 2007.
Officer Randal D. Simmons, Los Angeles Police Department, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, died on February 7, 2008.
In addition, historical research determined that the following peace officer, previously killed in the line of duty, was deserving of his place on the Memorial Wall:
Deputy City Marshal Perman C. Calderwood, Los Angeles City Municipal Court, died on December 22, 1930.
Bronze plaques with the names of all three officers now join the other 469 law enforcement officers whose names are inscribed on the Memorial Wall to honor their dedication to duty and the ultimate sacrifice they made.
As part of the ceremony, Sheriff Baca accepted a torch delivered by members of various law enforcement agencies following a three-day Memorial Torch Relay Run totaling 339 miles. The relay run commenced at the Sherman Block Sheriff's Headquarters Building and traveled to each mainland Sheriff's Station. The Memorial Flame at the Los Angeles County Peace Officer's Memorial Wall was ignited in tribute to the fallen officers.
In concluding the memorial ceremony, the Sheriff added, "We recognize the heroism of those who have died, and we have gathered to reinforce our individual memories of those who have been lost and to show their families and friends that their deep sense of loss is shared.
SHB-71A-08 | May 28, 2008
Comments