Remembering the fallen

Andrew Edwards

All was silent as Officer Wade Wilson saluted a plaque bearing the

name of a fellow Huntington Beach police officer killed in the line

of duty.

Officer Leslie Prince was directing traffic during a power outage

when he was struck by a drunken driver and killed in 1974. He was one of 17 people whose lives were remembered on May 26 at Golden West

College’s Fallen Officer Memorial. The ceremony honored graduates of

the college’s Police Academy who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It’s just an honor to represent Mr. Price,” Wilson said after the

memorial.

Price is the only Huntington Beach police officer whose name is

engraved on the Police Academy’s plaque. All 17 officers worked for

southern California cities, most in Orange County.

Capt. Kevin Childe of the Fountain Valley Police Department read

off the names of each officer being remembered as Wilson and members

of other police departments took turns to offer their salutes. Family

members of some of the officers placed roses in a vase before the

plaque.

In an invocation at the start of the ceremony, Buena Park Police

Chaplain Ralph Juengel spoke to the several police officers who

arrived to pay their respects to fallen comrades.

“May the Lord grant you a very special day today, and may his holy

protection surround you as you strive to be his representative,”

Juengel prayed.

Former Huntington Beach Police Chief and current Police Academy

Director Ron Lowenberg presided over the ceremony, which was not so

much sorrowful as dignified. Hardly a noise could be heard during the

event, except for the speakers and a light breeze.

“The symbolism and message of this memorial is simple but

powerful,” Lowenberg said. “Remember those who have come before as

members of the thin blue line.”

Throughout the ceremony, police academy cadets stood at rigid

attention. Some of the future police officers said seeing the

ceremony inspired them to work harder when they’re patrolling the

streets.

“Just train harder so we don’t have to see any more names on that

plaque,” said cadet Will Delgado.

Lowenberg invited the visiting police and family members to come

back whenever they felt the need to do so.

“Anytime you want to come to the center and spend some time in

front of this memorial, feel free to do that,” he said.