Keeping his memory alive

Jackson Bell

When Burbank Police Chief Thomas Hoefel visited the National Law

Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., a few years ago,

he never imagined his department would add another name to it.

But the unimaginable happened with the loss of Burbank Police

Officer Matthew Pavelka.

“His death has had an enormous effect on the city and the police

family,” he said Tuesday night at a vigil in front of Burbank Police

and Fire headquarters. “But it has also brought us together.”

More than 2,000 residents and city employees, including members of

the police and fire departments, gathered Tuesday evening for the

vigil.

Pavelka, 26, was shot and killed Nov. 15 after coming to the aid

of fellow officer Gregory Campbell during a traffic stop in a Ramada

Inn parking lot on North San Fernando Boulevard. Campbell was

critically injured during a gunfight between the two officers and two

suspects, but is expected to recover. One of the gunmen was shot and

killed; his alleged accomplice remains at large.

The vigil, organized by the city, included heartfelt speeches by

Mayor Stacey Murphy, City Manager Mary Alvord, Los Angeles County

Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and Pavelka’s father, Michael, who is a Los

Angeles Police detective.

“We know he was a spirited, fun-loving young man who lived life to

the fullest,” Murphy said. “We know that he was doing exactly what he

aspired to do up to his death.”

“When evil attacks our brave policemen, it attacks all the

community members of Burbank,” she added.

Alvord’s address to the crowd was also emotionally charged.

“Matthew didn’t die in vain,” she said in a quivering voice. “His

death made the city stronger and more resolute to keep this city safe

and secure.”

The hourlong vigil concluded with a performance of Eric Clapton’s

“Tears in Heaven,” performed by a band that included Burbank Police

officers.

Pavelka, a rookie with 10 months on the job, was buried Friday

following a memorial service that drew more than 3,000 people,

including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and law-enforcement officers

from across the state. He was eulogized as an officer who paid the

ultimate price.

Tears flowed as the crowd took a few minutes after the vigil to

embrace one another and pay their tributes to police officers.

“This is a very small community in the middle of a great big city,

and we have strong feelings for our police and fire departments,”

said Barbara Pulchinski, a 43-year resident of Burbank. “Coming out

to the vigil is the least I could do to show my respect.”