SR-25
02-15-2006, 08:34 AM
By Soraya Gutierrez
Sentinel Staff Writer
One by one, members of the law enforcement community walked up to hug the widow of California Highway Patrol Lt. Mike Walker at a memorial service Tuesday outside the Aptos CHP station.
"It's gratifying to see recognition of the sacrifices these officers make to make our roads safe," his wife Michelle said after the memorial service.
Walker, 47, died New Year's Eve while helping a stranded motorist on Highway 17.
He was lighting flares and helping to slow traffic when at about 10 p.m. a car hit the back of a Caltrans truck, pushing it into Walker.
County Sheriff Steve Robbins expressed his appreciation for Walker, a man he described as having a dry wit, and who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty on the job.
Walker's wife was given a plaque in memory of her husband, but the greatest gift the public can give to the family is to slow down on the roads, one officer said.
Walker married his wife in 1995 and had two young daughters, Amanda and Jennifer.
CHP Capt. Christina Manriquez worked with Walker on a daily basis since he was promoted to his position in Santa Cruz in May 2005, and she said his death has been difficult for everyone at the station.
"Lt. Walker was my right arm," she said after the service, which included a bagpipe performance.
Since the CHP was formed 75 years ago, more than 200 officers have been killed on the job, according to the California Association of Highway Patrolmen.
The service was organized by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Soraya Gutierrez at sgutierrez@santacruzsentinel.com.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/February/15/local/stories/10local.htm
Sentinel Staff Writer
One by one, members of the law enforcement community walked up to hug the widow of California Highway Patrol Lt. Mike Walker at a memorial service Tuesday outside the Aptos CHP station.
"It's gratifying to see recognition of the sacrifices these officers make to make our roads safe," his wife Michelle said after the memorial service.
Walker, 47, died New Year's Eve while helping a stranded motorist on Highway 17.
He was lighting flares and helping to slow traffic when at about 10 p.m. a car hit the back of a Caltrans truck, pushing it into Walker.
County Sheriff Steve Robbins expressed his appreciation for Walker, a man he described as having a dry wit, and who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty on the job.
Walker's wife was given a plaque in memory of her husband, but the greatest gift the public can give to the family is to slow down on the roads, one officer said.
Walker married his wife in 1995 and had two young daughters, Amanda and Jennifer.
CHP Capt. Christina Manriquez worked with Walker on a daily basis since he was promoted to his position in Santa Cruz in May 2005, and she said his death has been difficult for everyone at the station.
"Lt. Walker was my right arm," she said after the service, which included a bagpipe performance.
Since the CHP was formed 75 years ago, more than 200 officers have been killed on the job, according to the California Association of Highway Patrolmen.
The service was organized by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Soraya Gutierrez at sgutierrez@santacruzsentinel.com.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/February/15/local/stories/10local.htm