Honoring those lost in the line of duty
“It's gonna take more than just a little bit of wind to stop us from honoring our fallen.”
So said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray at Tuesday morning's fallen officer memorial ceremony at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
Steady gusts blew through the courtyard, where the memorial fountain was enshrined with the names of all the CHP officers who have died in the line of duty, but more than just a breeze was in the air. There was a solemn spirit to honor those lives lost.
What made this annual observation particularly significant was that it was the first time such a ceremony was held in three years, as it had been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did Tuesday mark a return to the in-person ceremony, but a
livestream was made available to the public on the CHP's Facebook page for the first time.
Since the CHP's founding in 1929, 232 officers have died in the line of duty. In the time since the last inperson ceremony, three new names have joined that list: Steven Licon, Andre Moye Jr. and Andy Ornelas, all motorcycle officers who worked in Southern California. Special recognition was given to all three at Tuesday's ceremony.
CHP Commander Robin Johnson said that between 2019 and 2021, 890 law enforcement officers throughout the country died in the line of duty. Twenty-six were from California, and three were CHP officers.
“The entire CHP family grieves with the Licon, Moye and Ornelas families for the loss of our brothers,” she said.
CHP employees read the names of all 232 fallen officers, including the areas they worked in and their dates of death. At the end of the roll call, officers Michael Hammond and Clyde Peterkin struck a bell seven times to signify each point of the CHP badge: character; integrity; knowledge; judgment; honor; loyalty; and courtesy.
Ray said it was fitting that the ceremony was held at the academy.
“For a CHP officer, this is where it all began: a career, lifelong friendships, brotherhoods, sisterhoods and a strong commitment to serving the people of this great state,” she said. “The CHP memorial, the fountain, is purposely located at the heart of our academy. It is where the name of each of our fallen is inscribed and those that we will carry in our hearts forever.”
Ray also said it was “a solemn reminder of officers who gave their lives in selfless service, lives that ended way too soon.”
To the family members of Licon, Moye and Ornelas, Ray said the CHP was humbled by their presence.
“Please know that we are profoundly sorry for your loss, but you'll be a part of our CHP family forever,” she said.
Ray delivered the stories of the three most recent fallen CHP officers. Licon, 53, graduated from the academy in 1991 and was initially assigned to the Santa Ana area before being promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Baldwin Park area. In 2013, he was transferred to the Riverside area where he worked for the next six years.
On April 6, 2019, Licon was conducting an enforcement stop along Interstate 15 near Lake Elsinore when he was struck by an impaired driver as Licon had pulled over a sedan. Licon was airlifted to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where he died from his injuries.
Moye, 34, graduated from the academy in 2017 and was assigned to the Riverside area. On Aug. 12, 2019, he was in the process of impounding a vehicle when the vehicle's owner retrieved his assault rifle and shoot at Moye and fellow CHP Officer Robert Paul. The suspect was killed by responding officers, but Moye was transported to a local hospital by the Riverside Police Department, He received emergency medical care during the flight, but succumbed to his injuries.
Ornelas, 27, graduated from the academy in 2017 and was assigned to the Altadena area before being transferred to Antelope Valley. On Nov. 23, 2020, he was patrolling Avenue N near the city limits of Lancaster and Palmdale when he was struck by a pickup truck making a U-turn that crossed into his path. Ornelas was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he died Dec. 2.
“Steven, Andre and Andy were true public servants,” Ray said. “They embraced the principles and values of our department and demonstrated their steadfast commitment to public service. Their lives ended way too soon while upholding their oaths, and we will never forget that.”
After an additional set of ringing of the memorial bell, Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke about the importance of remembering officers' sacrifices.
“When people here at the CHP talk about never forgetting, they mean it,” he said. “That's a pretty powerful and special thing, and so it's in that spirit that I'm here, honored to participate in this memorial.”
Newsom also talked about the challenges of being a CHP officer.
“It's the long shifts, the endless stress to all of you,” he said. “No fame, no fortune, too few moments with the people you love, too few thank yous from the public you serve and every day you go off to work, knowing there's a credible chance that you'll be called to risk your life in the defense of others. That's clearly the truth, but our entire way of life — our freedoms, peace and our pursuits of happiness — depends on the rule of law and those fearless and faithful few willing to stand watch.”
“There is no California without courageous Californians determined to serve,” he continued, adding that Licon, Moye and Ornelas were examples of that.
“They didn't just reflect the face of California,” he said. “They were its fortitude.”
Although Newsom said people cannot match the heroism of those who died, he said they can match their resolve to make California and their communities stronger.
“These valued representatives of the California Highway Patrol performed their duty fully and faithfully,” he said. “Now it's our sacred duty to ensure their sacrifices were not made in vain.”