Fallen officers remembered at Blue Light Ceremony

Members of law enforcement agencies from across the county came together in La Quinta on Monday night remember fallen police officers.

This year at the annual Blue Light Ceremony, the names of Palm Springs Police Department Officers Lesley Zerebny and Gil Vega were added to the list of fallen officers.

Zerebny and Vega were killed less than two months ago, and the department continues to mourn and suffer their loss.

“Emotions, they are up; they are down. Even though it is two months later, we still have officers that are off and have not returned to work. There is still a city we need to keep safe. Our officers are still doing what they need to do but they still feel the effects of this tragic loss,” said Chief Bryan Reyes, of the Palm Springs Police Department.

Several members of the Vega family were at the ceremony. Additional seating had to be added. Family members who attended were given a white rose by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. With holidays approaching, the loss of Officer Vega is especially hard on his children.

“I am sure his kids are especially going to miss him. We all get together for the holidays so it is going to be a tough Christmas,” said Vega’s brother, Jose Hector Vega.

The lights were dimmed and hundreds of blue glow sticks were cracked on. The sticks were small blue beacons of light surrounded by darkness, representing the shining light of truth and justice all members of law enforcement constitute.

“Regardless of the shape of our patch, the color of our uniform or the shape of our badge we are all a large family out here in the law enforcement community,” said Captain David Teets with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Since 1895, 64 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in Riverside County.

There will be a second Blue Light Ceremony for officers Vega and Zerebny on Dec. 12 at the County Administrative Center in Riverside.

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