[El Dorado County District Attorney]
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week.
recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
To date in 2018, there have been 51 Peace Officers killed in the line of duty nation-wide, 27 of them from gunfire. In California, there have been 3 Peace Officers killed this year: Marin County Deputy Ryan Douglas Zirkle, Pomona Police Officer Gerggory Casillas and Los Angeles Deputy Steven Belanger.
Here in El Dorado County, we have had five Peace Officers killed in the line of duty, dating back to July 1, 1864 when Deputy Joseph Staples was killed in a gun battle while trying to apprehend a group of men who had robbed two stage coaches. A memorial to Deputy Staples is located at the bus stop on Main Street in Placerville. Other Peace Officers who have been killed in the line of duty in El Dorado County include: Deputy Ora Clyde Owen, October 22, 1961; California Highway Patrol Officer Michael S. Griffin, January 13, 1966; Deputy Michael L. Cole, February 26, 1991, and; California Highway Patrol Officer Douglas Scott Russell, July 31, 2007.
Today, let us take a moment to recognize their sacrifice, and pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who serve and protect our community.
The Officer Down Memorial Page can be found at https://www.odmp.org
