Police seeking ornaments, gifts for fallen officer’s families

The Palm Springs Police Officers’ Association is asking for the public’s help to decorate and spruce up the Christmas tree in front of the police station at 200 S. Civic Drive.

“We are asking for members of the community to personalize an ornament and bring it to the station and hang it on the tree,” said Officer Joe Cook.

Cook said the public is also welcome to bring presents for Officer Gil Vega’s daughter Vanessa, 8, and Officer Lesley Zerebny’s daughter Cora, now six months. He will make sure their families receive the gifts before Christmas.

Vega and Zerebny were killed, and another officer was injured while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Oct. 8.

“We will never be able to replace their parents but we will continue to show these girls how much love the police department and the communities have for them,” said Cook.

A memorial with flowers and candles is still set up in front of the police department in honor of the fallen officers, and a Christmas tree in the lobby of Palm Springs City Hall is decorated with white and blue lights, in tribute to Vega and Zerebny.