OCEANSIDE–North County residents came together to honor an Oceanside police officer who was killed in the line of duty 12 years ago.
The 12th annual Dan Bessant Run kicked off on Gold Drive and Arthur Avenue in Oceanside where the officer was slain by gang members after he responded to a call to assist an officer on a traffic stop.
Other police officers and Oceanside Fire Department personnel followed the runners in the three and a half mile run to the Oceanside Police Department.
Police department personnel and volunteers served hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza to the runners.
Steve Bessant, father of the slain officer, attended the event and spoke about his heroic son.
The event ended with a moment of silence led by Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy.
On December 20, 2006, 25-year-old officer was fatally shot after he responded to assist another officer on a traffic stop in Oceanside.
