At Memorial, Governor Pledges Execution for Killers of Officers

Cheered by 1,200 law enforcement officers and the grieving families of their slain comrades, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged Friday to support a criminal justice system that hunted down and executed cop killers.

“Kill a cop and you will be punished to the maximum allowed by law,” the governor said to enthusiastic applause. “Where the death penalty applies, it must be enforced to deliver justice and deterrence.”

Schwarzenegger issued the warning at the 16th annual ceremony to honor the memory of California police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Last year, there were 17.

The name of each was read aloud as widows, some carrying children; parents; and other family members solemnly placed sprays of flowers at a bronze memorial in sun-dappled Capitol Park.

The ceremony Friday touched nerves that were especially raw because it occurred so soon after three officers were shot to death in the last few weeks by gang members or their associates.

In a message to criminals, Schwarzenegger warned of the death penalty for killing a peace officer.

“We will not rest until we find you. We will spare no effort. We will track you down, and we will make sure that you will pay for the crime,” he said.

The estimate of the number of officers attending from throughout the state was provided by a spokesman for the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation.

Many had arrived in department cruisers, but scores showed up on motorcycles and horses.

Also attending was Chief Justice of California Ronald George, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Atty. Gen. Bill Locker.

Grief was on many faces as women dabbed at moist eyes and seasoned officers at attention fought back tears.

Shortly before the ceremony, Schwarzenegger left his chair and walked down to a restless 3-year-old who squirmed in the lap of his mother, Suzanne Davenport.

Kneeling in front of them, the governor was told that young Christopher’s grandfather, Cpl. Edward Davenport, had died of a broken neck after a fall while doing maintenance work at a police firing range. He was a 40-year member of the Long Beach Police Department.

For several minutes, the governor engaged in a mostly one-sided conversation with the tyke. Soon the soft words of an experienced father of four worked their magic, and Christopher turned docile.

Schwarzenegger tousled the boy’s blond hair and returned to the riser, where he twice gave his little constituent a wave.

Later, Suzanne Davenport said the governor remarked that the child’s policeman-grandfather had passed along “a very strong boy.”