Community invited to honor Yuma’s fallen officers
CBS 13's April Hettinger shares the story of our San Luis Police Chief
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Fraternal Order of Police Yuma Lodge #24 is hosting its 44th annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service honoring those who lost their life while protecting the people of Yuma County.
Officers from all agencies in Yuma County put their lives on the line everyday for the community's safety, and some don't get to return home to their families which is why May 15 is an important day to honor them.
"Every single day that we would put on the uniform and the badge and we would strap our belts onto our hips, our families never knew if we would ever come back again," said Chief Rich Jessup of the San Luis Police Department. "That's why May 15 is so important."
President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962.
Sgt. Eric Egan, president of FOP Yuma Lodge says this is the 44th event held in Yuma honoring those who sacrificed for our community.
"We have 34 officers from this area which also includes California Highway Patrol and the Imperial County Sheriff's Office that are stationed in Winterhaven," Sgt. Egan stated.
It also honors fallen officers from Yuma Police, San Luis Police, Somerton Police, Wellton Police, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Border Patrol Yuma Sector.
Chief Jessup can distinctly recall losing fellow officers in the line of duty.
"I was on Yuma PD when Gary Maas was killed at the Greyhound bus station," Chief Jessup explained. "I remember that night very vividly."
Before serving as the chief, he was also a trooper with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and there was one time where a bullet grazed the top of his head.
"What would that phone call have been like or what would have that knock on the door been like to my wife and kids," Chief Jessup said.
This Saturday, May 15, the community is invited to the memorial from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to honor our fallen officers and the families they left behind.
The Fallen Officer Memorial is located at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex.
