By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Law enforcement agencies from across the San Diego region gathered Wednesday to honor officers, deputies, marshals, and agents who died in the line of duty during the annual San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony.
This year’s ceremony included the addition of Officer Lauren Craven’s name to the Wall of Light at Waterfront Park. Craven, who died while on duty last October, was the first La Mesa Police Department officer to suffer an on-duty death in the agency’s history.
Organizers with the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation selected the theme “A Time to Remember” for this year’s event, emphasizing support for the families, colleagues and friends of fallen officers. Throughout May, the Wall of Light will remain illuminated in blue in recognition of National Law Enforcement Month.
“May we never become so accustomed to safety that we forget who makes it possible,” La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney said during the ceremony.
As part of the memorial tradition, the names of all fallen officers from the region were read aloud. The ceremony also featured several symbolic tributes, including a riderless horse, three seats of honor representing fallen officers, a three-volley salute, a water salute at San Diego Harbor, mounted patrol units from multiple agencies and performances by law enforcement bagpipe players.
The foundation also provided paper and pencils for family members to make rubbings of their loved ones’ names engraved on the memorial.
