SCPD Attends the California Peace Officer's Memorial in Sacramento

May 5, 2014 marked the enrollment ceremony for the California Peace Officer’s Memorial.  The Santa Cruz Police Department was on hand to witness the enrollment of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.  Their names are now forever engraved in bronze upon the memorial wall. 

Chief Kevin Vogel was invited by State Attorney General Kamala Harris to be the ceremony keynote speaker, and he did not disappoint.  Chief Vogel “knocked it out of the park” with his speech honoring all the California officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in 2013. 

In his remarks, Chief Vogel commented: 

"The names we enroll here today serve as reminders of the best and brightest among us – the ones who chose one of the most complex and difficult of professions, the ones who don the uniform and accept the greatest risk of all. 

We can never replace those we lost, but by honoring their sacrifice and remembering what made them special, we can keep them close and make them part of our everyday lives.

We must never stop telling their stories, never stop taking inspiration from their courage and never forget the families left behind." 

This portion of his speech can be seen here on our YouTube Channel:

 

Chief Vogel addresses the crowd on the Jumbo-Tron

The day started at 5:15 AM where we traveled in a large caravan from Santa Cruz to the CHP Academy in Sacramento. Even young Marcel Cathrein was feeling the strain of the early morning travel time.  

With all the cars and personnel, we only had one vehicle casualty, as Lieutenant Dan Flippo’s motorcycle suffered a flat rear tire on Highway 5 just outside of Lathrop.   

Thankfully, we had the amazing Ken Morse from Lifesaver Towing along to rescue Dan.  Ken towed Dan to the CHP Academy.  

Lt. Flippo with his Rescuer, Ken Morse of Lifesaver Towing

We were able to get a plug in Dan's tire, so he could participate in the procession.  After the ceremony and before riding back, we got Dan’s tire replaced at Mid-Cal Cycle, a local shop.

At the CHP Academy, we met up with a couple hundred officers from agencies throughout the State.  We participated in a procession from the CHP Academy to the State Capitol for the ceremonies. 

SCPD Motor Team leads the procession in

 

SCPD participated in a gauntlet of officers to form the “Walk of Honor” for families of the fallen officers.

SCPD Team forming for the Walk of Honor Gauntlet

The SCPD Honor Guard posted the colors for the opening of the ceremony.

In addition to our own Chief Kevin Vogel, the speakers included Governor Jerry Brown, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, and Attorney General Kamala Harris. 

Our contingent included most of the personnel from the police department.   

SCPD Team at CHP Academy

Chief Vogel with the Motor Team

A few of our amazing civilian staff here at SCPD

We were even joined by Volunteer Debbie Elston, Mayor Lynn Robinson and County Supervisor Zach Friend (still a member of the PD family) who rode in the caravan and procession with us.  

Mayor Robinson with the Classic 1961 Chevy Biscayne patrol car

Brother Zach just lookin' for a hug

It was a great day to join our fellow officers from across the State to honor Butch and Elizabeth.  So, finally in the words of Chief Vogel:

We know that even though your watch has ended, the freedoms we enjoy today are because of you and those enrolled here before you.

My fellow law enforcement professionals, my fellow Californians, we must never forget the example they have set for all of us.

We must never forget their smiles, their laughs or their many achievements serving the communities they loved so dearly.

These brave officers leave unfinished work in our hands and I am confident that we are up to the challenge.