In this story from today’s Bee, we learn about a new memorial to the highest public service.
The crown jewels of public service truly are the first responders, those who literally place their lives at risk for us, and how fitting that a memorial for those sheriff’s deputies who have fallen, is placed within the embrace of the crown jewel of our community, the American River Parkway.
How completely fitting.
Here is an excerpt.
Floral tribute to deputies who gave all
By Bill Lindelof -- Bee Staff Writer Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, May 11, 2006
As the crowd began to gather last week to dedicate a rose garden to honor fallen officers, Lucille Hamilton approached the new memorial with her family.
She took a Kleenex from her pocket and leaned down to gently polish the memorial plaque for her grandson, Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Blount.
The gesture was one grandmother's personal expression on a morning of official tribute.
Ten months ago, Deputies Joseph Kievernagel, 36, and Blount, 29, died in the crash of a Sheriff's Department helicopter - the latest officers in the department to die in the line of duty.
Blount's mother, Kathy, said the memorial was pretty, situated on a hill surrounded by grass and trees. Her son's individual plaque, which included his picture, was beautiful, she said.
"We didn't expect it to be so elaborate," she said. "We can't believe how they honored both Kevin and Joe."
About 150 people were on hand for dedication of the rose garden memorial for fallen members of the department, dating back to Sheriff Joseph McKinney in 1850.
"When you look at this monument, you will see 14 plaques, 14 officers who died in the line of duty," Sheriff Lou Blanas said to those who gathered. "I hope and pray we will never have to add another plaque to this monument. Believe me, these officers will never be forgotten by the community and members of law enforcement."
The memorial is at the Sheriff's Department training ground at 1000 River Walk Way in Carmichael, along the American River Parkway bicycle trail.
