On Thursday afternoon, the Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association held the 13th annual memorial ceremony for fallen officers employed by the various local law enforcement agencies.

As a part of National Police Week, which began on May 11, dozens of community members, elected officials and those employed by local law enforcement agencies in Yolo County took the time to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty by gathering at the site of the Peace Officers Memorial monument located in front of the old historic courthouse at 725 Court St. in Woodland.

Law enforcement agencies in attendance included police departments from UC Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento, Winters, and Davis, the California Highway Patrol, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Yolo County District Attorney’s office.

Following a few ceremonial words from the Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association Chair Steve Thorpe, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office performed the Presenting the Colors.

After an invocation prayer from WPD Chaplain Matt Van Peursem, special guest speakers on the day included Captain Matt Davis of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and the family of Deputy Jose “Tony” Diaz, who died in 2008 from gunfire.“Know this, your loved ones are not forgotten,” Davis said to the dozens in attendance. “We are here, we remember, we honor their memory with not only stone and ceremony, but striving to be a community worthy of their sacrifice. We do not remember them solely for how they died or by how they lived. These were lives defined by integrity, courage and deep compassion…”

Follwoing Davis, Alejandra Diaz, one of the two daughters of Sheriff Diaz in attendance, then came up to say a few words.

“I always know that I feel him around when I really need him,” Alejandra said. “I will admit it was hard growing up without a dad because he wasn’t physically here to see me and witness my first day of high school, college, prom, my graduation, or any of my accomplishments.

“I have to learn about my dad through people’s stories, and not personally, and it pains me. All the people I have spoken to over the year have made me realize that my dad was a hero and a selfless person with an extraordinary sense of humor. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love, especially when their life was taken too soon, but Tony’s life wasn’t measured in years, it was measured in impact…

“To my dad and all of the others who have passed in the line of duty, thank you for your service, your sacrifice. We will never forget you and carry your memory in all that we do. Thank you.”

Afterward, the 12 names on the memorial plaque were read aloud before the American Legion Yolo Post 77 members performed a three-volley rifle salute and taps as the event wound down.

Immediately following the ceremony, the Yolo County DA’s Office held its annual “Walk to Remember.” The one-mile-long loop began at the monument and wound through Woodland, culminating at Heritage Plaza.

The YCRPOA spearheaded an effort to erect a memorial for fallen Yolo County law enforcement officers. This effort led to the unveiling of the monument in 2013.

Yolo County has lost 12 of its law enforcement community protectors since 1912. Most recently, the murder of Natalie Corona occurred on January 10, 2019.

The following Yolo County Peace Officers are listed as officers who have died in the line of duty, along with the date of their End of Watch and how they died.

California Highway Patrol

Officer Andrew Stevens EOW: Nov. 17, 2005 Cause: Gunfire

Sergeant Gary Wagers EOW: March 15, 2001 Cause: Vehicle Collision

Officer William Freeman EOW: Dec. 22, 1978 Cause: Gunfire

Officer Roy Blecher EOW: Dec. 22, 1978 Cause: Gunfire

Officer Ivan Casselman EOW: Aug. 24, 1935 Cause: Motorcycle Collision

Yolo County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Jose “Tony” Diaz EOW: June 15, 2008 Cause: Gunfire

Deputy Walter Leinberger EOW: Nov. 18, 1943 Cause: Gunfire

Winters Police Department

City Marshall William Rice EOW: Oct. 18, 1912 Cause: Gunfire

West Sacramento Police Department

Officer James McKnight EOW: June 16, 1990 Cause: Gunfire

Davis Police Department

Officer Natalie Corona EOW: Jan. 10, 2019 Cause: Gunfire

Officer Douglas Cantrill EOW: Sept. 7, 1959 Cause: Gunfire

Woodland Police Department

Officer Lawrence Sills EOW: June 13, 1945 Cause: Motorcycle Collision