Fallen PSPD officers honored at state capitol
Fallen Palm Springs police officers Lesley Zerebny and Jose Gilbert “Gil” Vega will be honored at the State Capitol.
Watch: Chief Reyes receives standing ovation after talking about ‘the watering down of our justice system’ View Photos from Memorial Ceremony
Officers Zerebny and Vega will be honored at a two-day event in Sacramento celebrating National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Officers from the Palm Springs Police department left at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, to attend the memorial.
Read: Fallen PSPD officers to be honored at state and national level
The ceremonies began Sunday around 8:30 p.m. with a candlelight vigil at the California Peace Officers Memorial Monument.
Monday morning’s ceremonies include a memorial procession for law enforcement vehicles, a Walk of Honor for department representatives and immediate family members of officers being enrolled, and the Enrollment Ceremony, where the names of newly enrolled officers are formally added to the California Peace Officers Memorial Monument.
Read: 6 PSPD officers who aided fallen friends during shootings identified, honored
The enrollment ceremony incorporates many law enforcement traditions including a riderless horse presentation, the folding of the United States Flag, releasing of doves, and concludes with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.
PSPD Chief Bryan Reyes was the keynote speaker for Monday’s ceremonies.
State officials said on Sunday, May 7, that Gov. Brown will be attending the Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony on Monday, May 8. Gov. Brown will participate in the Walk of Honor and speak at the Enrollment Ceremony after having a private ceremony with the honored families.
More info on the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation
8 other California officers who died in the line of duty will also be honored at the ceremony including: Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Ballantyne, CHP Gold Area Officer Nathan Taylor, San Jose Police Department Officer Michael Katherman, San Diego Police Officer Jonathan “JD” De Guzman, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Steve Owen, Modoc County Sheriff’s Deputy Jack Hopkins, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Alfonso Lopez, Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff Dennis Wallace.
Officers Zerebny and Vega will also be honored in Washington D.C. at the National Police Officer’s Memorial.
