“Just last year in the United States, the FBI reported 107 officers were killed in the line of duty… That’s 107 families that felt and continue to feel a profound loss for the rest of their lives,” Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said.
To Fresno County’s relief, none of them were from the local community. That’s not always the case, though.
The names of 64 officers are etched into the Fresno County Peace Officer Memorial stone.
Family, Fresno County officials, and community members gathered to remember them Thursday.
They read the names of those who were killed in California, played Taps, and honored them with a 21-gun salute.
“You have over 60 names on the wall here for the Fresno County Peace Officer Memorial… Just going back to last year with Gonzalo Carrasco,” Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said.
Carrasco’s family attended the event. They say he was flagged down and killed in 2023.
“He wanted to be someone who people looked up to. Someone for people to remember him as someone who wanted to make a difference,” Carrasco’s sister Alma Ordaz said.
“The names on this wall, they’re not forgotten,” Christina Palacios said.
Palacios’ brother, John Palacios, was killed by a drunk driver in 1976.
His family has attended the memorial event every single year.
“[This memorial] is for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We’re here to honor their sacrifice and what they’ve done for the community,” Zanoni said.
Fresno County holds the memorial event every year on the first Thursday of May.
For the families, it’s a time to remember those they love.
For the other officers, it’s a reminder to live up to the legacies of those who went before them.
“May the loyal and faithful devotion to the safety of Fresno County residents live on through each of us wearing the uniform today,” Casto said.
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