Peace, Officers : La Habra Rookie Among Those Saluted at Service for Those Killed on Duty

Cellophane-wrapped roses decorated the marble floor of the Peace Officer Memorial Wall at the Civic Center Plaza on Wednesday. The 37th red stem lay beside a brass plaque bearing the name of La Habra Officer Michael Anthony Osornio.

The 26-year-old rookie had been on the police force only 13 months when he was struck and killed last Halloween night by a drunk driver who ran a red light.

His was the latest name placed on the memorial wall, a tribute to the officers who have been killed on duty in Orange County since 1912, and Wednesday’s ceremony was in his honor.

There already is one name that will be added next year--Newport Beach Officer Bob Henry, who was shot by a suicidal man earlier this year.

Osornio, the 37th officer killed in the line of duty, had been on patrol with a bag of Halloween candies for children when a 51-year-old La Mirada driver careened through a stoplight about 60 m.p.h.

Marco Villegas Ramirez, who was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .18--more than double the legal limit--crashed into Osornio’s police cruiser, pinning the officer inside.

Osornio died several hours later. Ramirez was found guilty in April and sentenced to six years in prison.

The youngest of four, Osornio made his family proud, said his father, Rafael Osornio, flanked by his wife, children and the officer’s fiancee, Tina Skipper.

“He was a good son, very helpful. He loved to help people,” the elder Osornio said. “We will miss him dearly.”

Osornio’s longtime dream was to become a good police officer, and he achieved that, said his colleagues. He graduated from Golden West College’s Criminal Justice Training Academy with a 4.0 grade-point average.

During his brief stint with the La Habra Police Department, he generated the highest number of arrests, officials said.

“He was the kind of man who ensures his daily performance and would not only fulfill his ethical and professional duties, but he would shine,” La Habra Police Chief Steven Staveley said.

The first La Habra police officer to die in the line of duty, Osornio was described as an impassioned man who cared about his community.

“As long as I live, I will never forget Michael,” said Staveley, struggling to maintain his composure.

Guests such as Board of Supervisors Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez listened with heads bowed. Others hid their eyes behind sunglasses that filtered the light and concealed tears.

After Staveley’s emotional delivery, rows of color guards rose as the names of the other 36 slain officers were announced for the roll call of honor. Master Officer Frederick Wiste, who was Osornio’s supervisor, represented Osornio in the color line.

“It is an honor to be here for Osornio and his family,” Wiste said. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

Wednesday’s event ended with the crowd of more than 200 decorated officers and family members approaching the memorial wall to find the brass plaque embossed with their friend or loved one’s name.

“We all have a friend here,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Stanford, who periodically visits the memorial wall to salute his former academy classmate and friend, Mark Tonkin, who died in a helicopter crash. “They all represent courage and honor.”