Five fallen Sacramento-area officers among 36 honored at California memorial
A sea of law enforcement personnel and family members gathered Sunday and Monday in Sacramento to honor more than two dozen California officers killed in the line of duty over the past four years.
The 44th annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial ceremonies included a candlelight vigil Sunday evening, followed Monday morning by the names of 36 fallen officers being formally enrolled into the monument.
The enrollment honored 28 California law enforcement officers who died between late 2018 and the end of 2021, along with eight “distant past” honorees who died more than 80 years ago.
“Today, we affirm our promise to honor and never forget their ultimate sacrifice,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, emceeing Monday’s ceremony. “We honor our heroes, because blessed are the peacemakers.”
Five of the recent 28 patrolled the Sacramento area, including two who died in 2021: Galt police Officer Harminder Grewal, killed in a headon collision on Highway 99 as he and a partner were traveling to assist with response to the Caldor Fire in August; and Deputy Adam Gibson of the Sacramento County Sheriff ’s Office, who was fatally shot at Cal Expo in January.
Three local officers died in 2019: El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office Deputy Brian Ishmael, killed in an October shooting while responding to a reported robbery at an illegal marijuana grow operation; Sacramento police Officer Tara O’sullivan, fatally shot in June while responding to a domestic disturbance call; and Davis police
Officer Natalie Corona, who was shot in January while responding to a traffic collision in downtown Davis.
The annual memorial event was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, leading to a larger ceremony than usual this year.
Hundreds of officers and family members attended Monday morning, wearing black, olive green and all shades of blue. Many family members brought roses. The crowd of uniformed officers spilled over from the monument to the West steps of California’s Capitol building across the street.
Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester — who at the end of 2021 became the city’s first woman to serve as chief — gave the keynote speech at Sunday’s vigil, during which the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation unveiled a new statue that depicts a female peace officer.
“We are here to remember them for the amazing people that they are, for what they brought to us as friends and members of our families, and to honor them for what they stood for,” Lester said.
Corona and O’sullivan were two of three women among Monday’s 36 honorees. Lester walked with the O’sullivan family as they paid respects to their loved one, who died at age 26.
The new bronze statue depicts a woman officer, kneeling and holding a flag. She is atop the center of the circular moment, which was topped Monday with hundreds of small American flags. The monument depicts three male officers who are standing overlooking the plaques.
The third woman honored Monday was Detective Marylou Hernandez Armer, a 20-year veteran of the Santa Rosa Police Department. Armer died of coronavirus in March 2020, the first month of the pandemic.
“I think it’s time that the females and the women in law enforcement are recognized just like our men,” Merced Corona, Natalie Corona’s father, said Sunday evening.
Amanda Ray, the commissioner of the California Highway Patrol and also the first woman to hold that title, gave Monday’s keynote speech.
“Now, the thousands of people who visit our great state Capitol and tour the beautiful grounds each year will continue to be reminded of the sacrifices made not only by the men, but also women behind the badge,” Ray said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also attended, accepting an American flag folded by an honor guard comprised of officers and deputies from numerous law enforcement agencies. Bonta accepted a folded California flag.
Not yet honored was Elk Grove Police Department Officer Tyler Lenehan, struck and killed this January by a wrong-way driver on Highway 99 while en route to work on his motorcycle.
He will be honored along with other fallen officers from 2022 in next year’s event.