Fallen Hero: A photo of the late San Jose Police officer Desmond Casey sits next to the podium after being remembered by the Department during 'Law Enforcement Memorial Week.'
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
San Jose police honor their fallen officers
Photographs by Jacqueline Ramseyer
San Jose officials, police officers and citizens gathered outside city hall early May 14 to pay their respects to the city's 10 law enforcement officials who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the department's history.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Showing Respect: Sgt. Don DeMers, center, bows his head along with the rest of the San Jose Police Department officers on hand, in remembrance of the department's 10 officers who have been 'killed in the line of duty.'
San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales, Police Chief William Lansdowne and Police Officers Association President Jim Tomaino addressed the more than 100 people gathered at the ceremony in observation of the 39th National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
Poignant Moment: Lisa Tomaino, wife of San Jose Police Officer James Tomaino, wipes away a tear during a ceremony in front of San Jose City Hall to observe 'Law Enforcement Memorial Week.' Standing is officer Tang Le.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Rows of officers stood at attention and bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" while the names of the 10 officers were read. The flags in front of city hall were lowered to half mast during a moment of silence. Officers showed their respect for the fallen heroes not just at the ceremony, but also across the police radio frequency. A riderless horse, symbolizing the fallen officers' last ride, was led past the crowd and the department's new helicopter, Air 2, flew past overhead. Officer Desmond Casey, the last San Jose police officer to lose his life on the job, and a mechanic died when the department's first helicopter, Air 1, crashed Oct. 25, 1999.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
