Hundreds gathered at Peace Officers' Memorial for fallen CHP officers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds of people gathered in Downtown Fresno Tuesday afternoon to honor the lives of officers killed in the line of duty. Among those remembered are two highway patrol officers killed earlier this year.

Emotions ran high as the names of fallen Fresno CHP officers Brian Law and Juan Gonzalez were read to the crowd. Their names will eventually appear on a memorial in Downtown Fresno to honor their service and ultimate sacrifice.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from every agency in Fresno County gathered in Courthouse Park to honor the lives of eight fallen officers from all over California including Law and Gonzalez.

"Each of these fallen officers, these heroes are deserving of their own monument," said PORAC President Ron Cottingham. "Their valor, their dedication and courage should be remembered at all times."

The partners were killed in a crash on Highway 99 near Kingsburg back in February. Captain David Paris said they were responding to a collision, and swerved to avoid the crash scene.

"Fresno Command is fortunate that we have 10 officers in the same graduating class as Brian and Juan so these folks were hit hard," said Paris. "They trained with them for 27 weeks. They entered the academy together, they built a core, they built teamwork, and they built camaraderie."

The memorial ceremony included a 21 gun salute, helicopter fly over and songs and prayer by various officers.

"This is the first time I've actually had the chance to come and this was just beautiful, wonderful, "said Fresno County resident Gladys Cowings-Runderson.

Cowings-Runderson said she wanted to be there to honor our local heroes and believes others should do the same.

"All the officers are in jeopardy everyday so we have to continue to pray for them," she said.

The monument currently includes the names of 57 fallen officers. It was dedicated back in 1998.

Earlier in the day, Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea proclaimed May 6th as "Peace Officers Memorial Day in Fresno County."