San Luis Valley Peace Officer Memorial
ALAMOSA — A careless breeze brought a number of flags in front of the Police Department to life for the annual San Luis Valley Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony in Alamosa on Wednesday. Leaders from local law enforcement agencies and elected officials took time to speak at the event including Alamosa’s Chief of Police Ken Anderson, Sheriff Robert Jackson and Mayor Ty Coleman among others.
Peace Officer Memorial Day began back on October 1, 1962 with a proclamation from former President John F. Kennedy designating May 15 as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the encompassing week as Police Week.
Anderson spoke first at the memorial, “Tonight we are here to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation to all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime”
The event was attended by a number of local police departments as well as fire departments and other first responders. Alamosa Fire and Monte Vista Fire ladder trucks hoisted the American Flag to welcome a procession of Law Enforcement vehicles to the street in front of the Alamosa Police Department.
“Not only do (Law enforcement officers) have to deal with the physical toll that the job places on their bodies they also have to deal with the mental strain as well”, said Coleman of the difficulties of the job officers bear. Coleman Also told the story of his mother Virginia Coleman who was a police officer in the city of Houston, Texas.
Sheriff Robert Jackson was the last to speak before the customary rifle salute to the fallen accompanied by a trumpet rendition of Taps and the lowering of the flag to half-mast.
“We pay tribute to those law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty. We gather as witnesses, when words like courage and sacrifice are no longer abstract ideals but instead part of reality,” said Jackson.
For those in our community that are placed in harm’s way daily, one day a year to stop and remember those that have fallen and a week to appreciate those that are still out there on the beat risking everything, Coleman sums it up best.
“Law enforcement officers and first responders, we appreciate all the things you do for our community. And for all the caring things you do, we love you, Blue.
Recognizing Fallen Officers
In the Line of Duty Death
Alamosa Police Department
City Marshal Charles Emerson
City Marshal Joseph R. Simons
Center Police Department
Officer Oliver P. Cain
Colorado State Patrol
Trooper Joseph A. Ynostroza
Conejos County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Raymundo Martinez
Deputy Sheriff Eduardo Dominguez
Costilla County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Jose Adolfo Rodriguez
Deputy Sheriff Rudolpho Filberto Sanchez
Monte Vista Police Department
Night Marshall Clyde McDonald
Assistant Chief Guy Everett O’Neal
Rio Grande Sheriff’s Office
Under Sheriff Zack Allen
State Of Colorado
Boulder Police Department
Eric Talley, Officer EOW: March 22, 2021 (Gun Fire)
Honorary Officer Death
Adams State University Police Department
Officer Alycia Riggs
Alamosa Police Department
Officer James “Garland” Parker
Antonito Police Department
Chief Robert Gurule
Conejos County Sheriff’s Office
Former Sheriff Howard Galvez
Costilla County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Amos Medina,
Sheriff Gilbert Martinez
Sanford Police Department
Chief Dale Ruff
Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Cyril “Conrad” Parker
Deputy Gerald Langston
Sergeant Ron Goodman
Deputy Dusty Claunch