CEREMONY HONORS FALLEN OFFICERS
It took place in front of the old historic courthouse
On Thursday afternoon, the Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association held its annual memorial ceremony for fallen officers employed by the various local law enforcement agencies in front of the old historic courthouse, located at 725 Court St. in Woodland.
As a part of National Police Week, which began on May 14, over 100 community members, elected officials, and those employed by the various local law enforcement agencies in and around Yolo County took the time to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty by gathering at the site of the Peace Officers Memorial monument.
“It is an honor for Woodland to get to host this event,” Woodland Police Department Chief Derrek Kaff said. “We appreciate all the agencies that participate. It's a good opportunity for us to remember and honor the sacrifices of the law enforcement officers on the wall.”
Among those in attendance during the ceremony were the families of fallen officers, such as Davis Police Department Officer Natalie Corona, Yolo County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jose “Tony” Diaz and California Highway Patrol Officer William Freeman.
“It's so important to not only have law enforcement here, but community members and the families of the fallen officers,” Kaff said. “This is the one time of year that we get to hear about and check in with the families and honor them for their loss as well.
“Their sacrifice at the time of their officer's passing was immense. Daily, hourly and minutely, they are still living with losing that loved one. Their being here means so much to us. I just am so thankful they continue to come and be a part of the ceremony.”
Others in attendance included Woodland City Councilmember Rich Lansburgh, District Attorney Jeff Reisig, along with police chiefs and select members of law enforcement agencies such as the Woodland Police Department, the Winters Police Department, the Yolo County Sheffirs Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Davis Police Department and the West Sacramento Police Department.
“It means everything to have this turnout,” said Lee Refsland, the Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association co-chairman. “We are here to honor the ones who paid the ultimate price. To see the community members all come out for this and to see them all encompasses how we feel about law enforcement in Yolo County. It's not like other places.”
Follwing a few ceremonial words from WPD Chief Kaff, WPD Lieutenant Dallas Hyde read off the 12 names on the memorial plaque while the bell of honor rang out after each name.
Immediately following the ceremony, the Yolo County District Attorney's Office held its annual `Walk to Remember.' The onemile-long loop began at the monument and wound through Woodland, culminating at Heritage Plaza.
“The walk is to bring public awareness to National Police Week and this particular day where we pay homage to police officers that sacrificed their lives for the community,” Reisig said. “This is a really important event for the city and the county. We had a really strong turnout from law enforcement which shows there is a strong collaboration and unity between all the agencies. That is really important because you don't have that in every community. The retired police officers do a good job with the ceremony, and I'm honored to be a part of it.”
The Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association spearheaded the effort to get a memorial erected for fallen Yolo County law enforcement officers. This effort led to the unveiling of the monument in 2013.
Yolo County has lost 12 of its community protectors since 1912. Most recently, the murder of Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona occurred on January 10, 2019.
The following Yolo County Peace Officers are listed as officers who have died in the line of duty, the date of their End of Watch, and how they died.
California Highway Patrol
• Officer Andrew Stevens EOW: Nov. 17, 2005 Cause: Gunfire
• Sergeant Gary Wagers EOW: March 15, 2001 Cause: Vehicle Collision
• Officer William Freeman EOW: Dec. 22, 1978 Cause: Gunfire
• Officer Roy Blecher EOW: Dec. 22, 1978 Cause: Gunfire
• Officer Ivan Casselman EOW: Aug. 24, 1935 Cause: Motorcycle Collision
Yolo County Sheriff's Office
• Deputy Jose “Tony” Diaz EOW: June 15, 2008 Cause: Gunfire
• Deputy Walter Leinberger EOW: Nov. 18, 1943 Cause: Gunfire
Winters Police Department
• City Marshall William Rice EOW: Oct. 18, 1912 Cause: Gunfire
West Sacramento Police Department
• Officer James McKnight EOW: June 16, 1990 Cause: Gunfire
Davis Police Department
• Officer Natalie Corona EOW: Jan. 10, 2019 Cause: Gunfire
• Officer Douglas Cantrill EOW: Sept. 7, 1959 Cause: Gunfire
Woodland Police Department
• Officer Lawrence Sills EOW: June 13, 1945 Cause: Motorcycle Collision