Service Memorializes Fallen Police Officers

The bugles blew “Taps,” a vocalist sang “God Bless America,” and chaplains offered comforting words at a waterfront ceremony in Huntington Beach on Monday to honor fallen police officers.

The services on Trinidad Island memorialized the two Huntington Beach officers to die in service this century and the 16 killed statewide in 1997.

“They’ve given the ultimate sacrifice: losing their lives in the line of duty,” Lt. Jon Arnold said.

The ceremony recognizes National Police Week, May 10-16, and Police Officers Memorial Day on May 15, tributes authorized by President John F. Kennedy and Congress in 1962. A countywide memorial is planned May 21 in Santa Ana.

Monday’s service took place in Huntington Harbour’s Leslie J. Prince Park, named for the last Huntington Beach officer to die on duty. In 1974, Prince was hit by a drunk driver while directing traffic on Beach Boulevard.

“He was a really good athlete, quite an asset to our basketball team and the department,” recalled Lt. Jim Cutshaw, who worked with Prince. “It was a short time we had together. He was very knowledgeable for his tenure.”

The other victim was Officer Leroy Darst, who was killed in a 1928 car accident, ironically en route to investigate an auto wreck.

Cutshaw, who attended the ceremony, said it was not just Surf City officers who were honored: “Today was a ceremony to celebrate all of the officers killed this year.”

Elsewhere in the county, police are honoring the dead in various ways.

Newport Beach plans to add the name of Sgt. Steven Van Horn to a monument during the countywide memorial service. Van Horn died of cancer last year--an illness that may have been career-related, according to the city. Newport Beach Police Chief Robert J. McDonell is the event’s keynote speaker.

In Fountain Valley, officers said they were attaching blue ribbons to patrol car antennas. Officers from Irvine--as well as other departments--flew to Sacramento for a statewide weekend service.