Cathedral City Police Dept. Thanks Public For Support
Cathedral City police today publicly thanked those who joined the department in honoring Officer Jermaine Gibson, whose funeral was on Friday.
Gibson, a 28-year-old former U.S. Marine, died early March 19 when his patrol car crashed as he pursued two suspects. The officer was married and the father of a 4-week-old boy.
Hundreds of people lined the streets and freeway overpasses while Gibson’s body was escorted from Southwest Community Church in Indian Wells to the Riverside National Cemetery.
“We would like to thank the citizens of the Coachella Valley and Riverside County who came out and showed their unwavering support for Officer Gibson,” police Lt. Chuck Robinson said today.
“You have no idea how that demonstration of support positively affected the Gibson family and other law enforcement personnel participating in the services.”
Thousands of mourners attended the 90-minute services at Southwest Community Church, and hundreds were on hand for his burial in Riverside. Residents waved U.S. and Marine Corps flags and held their hand over their heart as the funeral procession passed.
“We offer our gratitude and heart-felt thank you in recognition of your time and effort to recognize a fallen hero,” Robinson said. “Your deeds did not go unnoticed, and you made a powerful statement to our public safety personnel during this difficult time.”
Some of the dignitaries at the funeral included state Attorney General Kamala Harris, Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, and County Supervisor John Benoit.
Gibson, who lived in Beaumont, had been with the Cathedral City Police Department for about 18 months and previously worked as a reserve officer with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. He served two tours of duty in Iraq while in the Marine Corps and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Gibson was the lead officer in pursuit of a stolen Ford Mustang first spotted in Cathedral City. Police said the driver ignored the officer’s attempt to stop the car on Date Palm Drive, prompting the chase.
As the Mustang’s driver sped around the South Palm Canyon Drive curve in nearby downtown Palm Springs, Gibson’s squad car crashed into one of the landmark roadside palm trees and burst into flames. He died at the scene.
Soon after the crash, the Mustang crashed and both occupants were injured. The two people in the stolen car, Durjan Germaine Gray, 34, and Dexter Coleman, 46, could face murder charges.
The Cathedral City Police Officers Association established the Jermaine Gibson Memorial Fund to help his family. Donations can be mailed to Box 1131, Cathedral City, CA 92235, or dropped off at the Cathedral City Police Department headquarters at City Hall.
A Denny’s restaurant on East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City organized a fundraiser that began at 4 p.m. today, which will donate 50 percent of sales to the memorial fund.
