SHERIFF BACA HONORS FALLEN PEACE OFFICERS
Sheriff Lee Baca presided over the Thirty-fourth Annual Los Angeles County Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2003, to commemorate the lives of those peace officers who died in the line of duty serving the residents of Los Angeles County during the past year. 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 and instrumental performances by members of law enforcement, and selections by the Verdugo Hills Sweet Adelines vocal group.
Regrettably, memorial plaques in the names of Deputy David A. Powell of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Detective Donald R. Johnston of the El Monte Police Department, and Officer Jesse K. Paderez of the San Fernando Police Department, were added to the Memorial Wall.
Deputy Powell, assigned to Lakewood Station, died on November 30, 2002, while attempting to rescue a female resident being held hostage. As Deputy Powell attempted to kick in the front door of the residence, he was fatally shot by the suspect.
Detective Johnston was wounded in a 1990 shooting at a Security Pacific Bank while trying to move an innocent bystander away from the line of fire. He was shot in the neck, which left him permanently paralyzed. Detective Johnston continued to work, until he succumbed on November 22, 2002, which was a result of the 1990 shooting.
Officer Paderez arrived at 7:00 a.m., on July 17, 2002 at the San Fernando Police Department to attend a training class. As he walked through the parking lot, he stumbled and dropped his .45 caliber handgun. The hammer of his weapon struck the ground, causing it to fire, fatally wounding him.
Historical research resulted in the additional recognition of two law enforcement officers. Officer George A. Rose, Jr. of the Los Angeles Police Department, who died on December 9, 2001, and Deputy Sheriff David E. Andrews, who died on December 12, 1973.
Bronze plaques with the names of all five officers now join the other 436 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 313 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 have gathered to honor and praise those who have been lost, and to share the memories which we hold so dear. Let us begin here and now with a prayer that it will not be necessary to add to the names of our fallen law enforcement officers as we continue to move forward in the 21st century."
SHB-33A-03
X X X
May 1, 2003