Honoring the fallen in the Peace Officer’s Memorial

The Peace Officer’s Memorial is honoring the lives lost in law enforcement serving Yuma County.

“When we have an officer that passes away it’s like a family member that passes away.”

Lt. Katina Murphy serves for the Arizona Department of Corrections and is sharing her experience of losing a fellow officer.

“I’m recognizing that all those agencies made that ultimate sacrifice, so it’s special to me to be out here and just be apart of it.”

The ceremony began Tuesday evening with the Yuma Police Department Honor Guard Team posting the United States Flag and conducting a 21-gun salute honoring the 36 officers who have died in the line of duty. Eric Egan, the President Fraternal Order of Police in Yuma says it’s been a tradition since mid-1800’s.

“‘The first law enforcement officer recorded on the line of the duty was Sheriff Cornelius Sage on May 3rd, 1865.”

Special Thanks and Recognition to agencies involved include:

United States Marshall’s Office, Yuma

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

California Highway Patrol, Winterhaven Station

United States Border Patrol, Yuma Sector

Arizona Dept. of Public Safety, Yuma Station

City of San Luis Police Department

Yuma County Sherrif’s Office

City of Yuma Police Department

Yuma Quartermaster Depot

Yuma Girl Scout Troop 626