Imperial Valley honors fallen officers with memorial ceremony
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) -A solemn ceremony in El Centro on Friday night honored 49 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in Imperial County, dating as far back as 1920.
The annual Imperial Valley Law Enforcement Memorial drew families, officers, and community members to the steps of the county courthouse.
The event included a motorcade, a 21-gun salute, a flag folding ceremony, and a moment of silence. All paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“There’s a lot of challenges that we face on a daily basis,” said Sgt. Aaron Curiel. “And one of those is paying the ultimate sacrifice of passing away in the line of duty.”
El Centro Mayor Sonia Carter was in attendance, sharing her condolences and support for families in mourning.
“This is a wonderful moment for us to express how concerned we are for the families of El Centro that have lost their loved ones,” Mayor Carter said. “It’s very important that we stay focused and help the families grieve, the grieving never stops.”
She also offered a message for the wider community: “I really hope that people leave with the message that it can be any one of us, so please always show your love.”
The event served as a powerful reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face, and the strength of the community that stands behind them.