PSPD Chief reflects on the deaths of Officers Zerebny & Vega
On October 8, 2016, Palm Springs Police officers Jose ‘Gil’ Vega and Lesley Zerebny were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Many people say they remember the day like it was yesterday. Some say they feel like Palm Springs is a stronger community.
“That first year was actually a blur and now that it’s slowed down, the impact is probably a little heavier now,” said PSPD Chief Bryan Reyes. “You’re starting to see the emotions a little more visible now as we approach October 8th,” Reyes said.
More Stories on Vega & Zerebny
KESQ & CBS Local 2 spoke with PSPD Chief Bryan Reyes as he looks back on the tragedy as the police department continues to cope with their loss.
Reyes on the day of October 8, “It’s a day of reflection. A reflection on who they were, who they represented, but it also is a day of reflection on all the good that occurred that day as far as the heroic efforts of the officers at the scene and also a day of reflection beyond the two officers who lost their lives, we actually lost three others who never returned back to work and ended up retiring.”
The tragedy continues to weigh heavy on the department and the community, who Reyes credits as being a critical piece in the healing process.
“We always knew we had a tremendous amount of support throughout our community but the world seeded on a grander scale as far as the outpouring of support that day and all the way until now,” Reyes said.
Palm Springs resident Ben Rice remembers the community uniting like never before.
“I think it made the citizens of Palm Springs more conscious about what it means to have a good police force and people who are willing to go out there and literally put their lives on the line,” Rice said.
Monty Poff, also from a resident of the city, echoed those thoughts.
“They are part of our community, they are the heart that keeps us all safe,” Poff said.
Reyes is sharing their experience with other departments on an international scale.
“I myself and one of my captains will be traveling to Florida on the actual anniversary, October 8th to discuss this event and lessons learned from an executive level to the International Associations of Chiefs of Police. We feel it’s a responsibility that not only we experience but we have a responsibility to share with other organization who may have to face this,” Reyes said.
“I think moving forward, our organization will continue to grow to come closer and understand the importance of leadership at all levels and at any given time you can be called upon to act at the most trying times,” Reyes added.
On October 8, there will be a memorial event at the Palm Springs Police Department headquarters to remember officers Zerebny and Vega. The event will start at 6 p.m. at the Palm Springs Police Memorial Plaza right in front of the building.
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