Law Enforcement Memorial

[Chippysgt]

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12147820p-12894301c.html

How refreshing to have something positive in the newspapers regarding law enforcement. My wife and I were proud to attend this ceremony in our town yesterday. We are grateful to Sheriff Mark Pazin for being the kingpin getting Merced County to build this. I am also grateful to our former Sheriff Tom Sawyer, a former CHP officer, who envisioned this memorial and got the ball rolling. If your town is does not pay tribute to officers who have given their lives, something like this would be a worthwhile project. Five of the names on this memorial were CHP officers.....................May they all rest in peace

I am proud that not only does Merced have a beautiful Veteran's Memorial but now also a beautiful Law Enforcement Officers Memorial...

:cool:

[cal911gal]

Thanks for sharing that - I feel rather out of touch that I didn't know they were even doing this in Merced. I'm glad Sheriff Pazin got it done.

Speaking of memorials, I was at the Academy this past Thursday morning for the annual memorial ceremony and reading of the roll call. It was a very moving ceremony and beautifully done. The media was there, but I didn't catch a single news story on it at all. If anyone has links, can you please post them?

The most touching part of the ceremony came after the reading of the new names going on the fountain. The families of the officers killed formed a ring around the fountain to watch Deputy Commissioner Farrow put the names on. A teenage boy, about 13 or so, broke out of the line and walked over to one of the officers standing at attention along the greenway, and reached up and hugged the officer. They clung to each other for several minutes, and there was not a dry eye in the place after that. It was rather hard to go back to class after all that....

That evening, three of my classmates and I went to the candlelight ceremony at the Peace Officer's memorial at the Capitol building. It was another beautiful ceremony and very moving. The seats were filled with family (lots of seats) and the area all around this site was standing room only - a lot of community support turned out to pay their respects.

I may be able to get some pictures from the event at the Academy and I'll post them when I get them.

You all take care out there and be safe!

[KingFrankSam]

Here is Sacramento's Channel 10's news story about the Academy ceremony: http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=17383 The video about the ceremony is excellent.

[Ratty]

Very moving story.
In the UK we are only just starting to see memorials for fallen officers, there is one in London.

While I was at the Academy for DRE School last August I was really impressed by the way the Cadets have to parade every Wednesday around the fountain and the amount of discipline they are given in training.

I wish the UK Police training was more like it.

[cal911gal]

Thanks for posting the link Horatio!

[Car Cop]

Here's another one...

http://www.kcra.com/news/9161943/detail.html