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CHP Fallen Officer Memorial Returns After Two-Year Hiatus
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Every day, thousands of California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers put their lives on the line to protect the people of California. In May of each year, the CHP holds a memorial ceremony to pay tribute to those brave officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In the CHP’s 92-year history, 232 officers have lost their lives while courageously serving the people of California.

This year’s event marks the return of the memorial ceremony following its postponement for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the ceremony, the CHP paid special tribute to Sergeant Steven Licon, Officer Andre Moye, Jr., and Officer Andy Ornelas.

Sergeant Licon, of the CHP’s Riverside Area, was killed April 6, 2019, when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle while he was conducting a traffic stop. Officer Moye, Jr., of the CHP’s Riverside Area, was killed in a shootout with a suspect after a traffic stop on Aug. 12, 2019. Officer Ornelas was assigned to the Antelope Valley Area and died on Dec. 2, 2020, after sustaining critical injuries during an on-duty motorcycle crash on Nov. 23, 2020.

Co-hosting the Tuesday, May 3 ceremony were Toks Omishakin, Secretary, California State Transportation Agency and Amanda Ray, Commissioner, California Highway Patrol.

Families and friends of fallen CHP officers gathered for the May 3 ceremony at 9:30 a.m., at the CHP Academy, 3500 Reed Ave., West Sacramento.

There was a 21-gun salute by the honor guard, laying of the wreath, bagpipes, buglers, a flyover, and a roll call reading of those killed in the line of duty, followed by the knelling of the memorial bell.