San Luis Valley Peace Officer Memorial

In honor of fallen police officers.

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


Video News