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Hundreds turn out beneath somber skies for Kings County Peace Officer Memorial
Nationally, Peace Officers’ Memorial Day is an annual event, created in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law.
Wednesday’s solemn Kings County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony was set against a grey morning sky. Law enforcement officers from throughout Kings County – representing the cities of Lemoore, Hanford, Avenal, and Corcoran – gathered with local citizens, honoring those peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Also present were representatives with the Kings County Sheriffs Office, the California Highway Patrol, Kings County Probation, and the Kings County Fire Department.
The United States Navy even participated, sending a pair of jets flying overhead following the National Anthem.
The event was especially poignant as numerous speakers, some of whom had to force back tears, spoke of their comrades in arms, those that died while in the line of duty. The local roll call of honorees included six law enforcement officers from Fresno and Kings County who died serving their community. Also honored were 11 law enforcement officers from throughout California who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Included in celebration of its law enforcement heroes were bagpipes and an emotional rendition of taps, played by Lemoore officers Tracy Landrus and John Ecker.
Kings County Sheriff David Robinson offered the remembrance, explicitly citing the contributions of fallen Kings County Deputy Sheriff Allen Sharra, who died on December 27, 1999, while in the line of duty. Sharra, a former Navy man, was ultimately hired by former Sheriff Ken Marvin, who delivered his eulogy in 1999.
Sharra’s widow, Gina Sharra, who was present on Wednesday, was honored with a proclamation from the office of Senator Melissa Hurtado.
“He will not be forgotten,” said Robinson – even 20 years later. His was only the second on-duty death in the history of the Kings County Sheriff’s office,” said Robinson. The Kings County sheriff said a section of Highway 41 would be dedicated to Sharra later this year.
Kings County Superior Court Judge Shane Burns delivered the formal address, an emotionally charged speech dedicated to local law enforcement. “It’s a privilege to honor the law enforcement community in Kings County,” he said.
The 25-year veteran of the Kings County district attorney’s office extolled local law enforcement. “It’s not what they do, it’s what they are,” he said proudly. “They are the fabric of our community. “Dedication, selflessness, heroes. That’s what I think of,” he continued.
