California Peace Officers Honor 18 Killed Last Year

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - It was a somber ceremony Monday at the state Capitol - paying tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who have died in the line of duty.

The California Peace Officers' Memorial also served as a reminder for those who work in law enforcement of how dangerous their jobs are.

More than 1,500 who attended recalled the sacrifices of 18 killed on the job last year, including Vallejo Police Officer Jim Capoot, who was killed chasing a bank robbery suspect in November.

The ceremony came just weeks after the latest death. Stanislaus County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Paris was killed while serving an eviction notice in Modesto.

"It's always emotional, but when you have it affect one of your own, it's always a lot harder to endure," said Sgt. Cyndi Beilstein of the San Diego Police Department.

Gov. Jerry Brown and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom offered condolences to surviving families, a moving moment for every officer no matter what city they're from.

"It's a really good feeling that we still have people out there that support what we do and that we're out here for them," said Officer Scott Padgett of the Rancho Cordova Police Department.

The ceremony is a reminder of the challenges the men and women of law enforcement face every day.

"We're fighting a war in our home front, Beilstein said. "It's not just in Afghanistan. We are fighting a war here in our communities as well."
All 18 of the officers killed last will have their names added at the memorial monument; a symbol that will never be forgotten.