(The following story by Sonja Bjelland appeared on the Press-Enterprise website on May 4, 2009.)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Art Garcia stepped onto the Safe in His Arms statue Monday night and tore off the black tape covering the engraved name of his brother, Aaron.
This year’s annual Riverside County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony honored Aaron Garcia, a Union Pacific Railroad Police Department special agent killed May 7, 2008, in a traffic collision in Mecca.
His name became the most recent of the 54 engraved on the downtown Riverside statue.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” said Art Garcia, wearing his El Centro firefighter’s uniform. “And it’s great they never forget.”
He last saw his brother a year ago today. Two days later, his brother was dead.
“It was really touching for me because my brother and I were so close,” he said.
Union Pacific Deputy Chief George Slaats said in the keynote speech that Aaron Garcia, 39, had been honored as Imperial Police Department’s officer of the year shortly before he joined the railroad police. He loved his family and considered family life his hobby, Slaats said.
“Aaron was an officer who cast a large net and touched many of us,” Slaats said.
Firetrucks blocked Orange Street in Riverside for the observance, and a flag hung between the outstretched ladders.
Each of the 54 fallen officers’ names were read, followed by a three-round volley and playing of Taps.
A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” before four police helicopters flew over in formation.
“It’s important we do this for all of those who take up a badge to protect us, because tonight we are reminded of the cost,” said Pete Esquivel, deputy chief of the Riverside Police Department.