Sheriff Lee Baca presided over the Thirty-seventh Annual Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, to commemorate the lives of those peace officers who died in the line of duty this past year while serving the citizens of Los Angeles County.  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 selections by the Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus, a chapter of the Sweet Adelines International vocal group.

         Regrettably, memorial plaques in the names of Deputy Jerry Ortiz, Deputy Pierre W. Bain and Deputy Maria C. Rosa of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Officer Tommy E. Scott of the Los Angeles Airport Police; Officer David M. Romero of the California Highway Patrol; Special Agent Supervisor William Garvey of the Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement; and Officer William Sickler and Officer Marlyn F. Reed of the South Gate Police Department were added to the Memorial Wall. 

Deputy Jerry Ortiz - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Operation Safe Streets Bureau, died on June 24, 2005.

Deputy Pierre W. Bain - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Station,
         died on March 23, 2006.

Deputy Maria C. Rosa - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Inmate Reception     Center, died on March 28, 2006.

         Officer Tommy E. Scott - Los Angeles Airport Police, died on April 29, 2005.

Officer David M. Romero - California Highway Patrol, Santa Fe Springs office,
         died on September 23, 2005.

Special Agent Supervisor William Garvey - Department of Justice, Bureau of                Narcotic Enforcement, died on September 24, 2005.

Historical research resulted in the additional recognition of Officer William Sickler, who died on June 22, 1925, and Officer Marlyn F. Reed, who died on April 22, 1928, both of the South Gate Police Department.
        
         Bronze plaques with the names of all eight officers now join the other 454 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 Officers’ Memorial Wall was ignited in tribute to the fallen law enforcement officers.  In addition, white doves were released during the ceremony on behalf of 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.”