Yolo County Retired Officers Honor Fallen Heroes at Annual Ceremony

The memorial ceremony honored 12 fallen officers. (Angelica Vera-Franco// Daily Democrat)

Guest speaker, Woodland California Highway Patrol Capt. Ivan Tiem. (Angelica Vera-Franco// Daily Democrat)

Yolo County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard. (Angelica Vera-Franco// Daily Democrat)

Several chiefs from Yolo County were present during the memorial ceremony. (Angelica Vera-Franco// Daily Democrat)

The Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association's annual memorial event honoring fallen officers on Thursday, May 14. (Angelica Vera-Franco// Daily Democrat)

A Ceremony of Remembrance and Gratitude

Families and community members gathered earlier this week at the Peace Officers Memorial monument for the Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial event honoring fallen officers. The event took place on Thursday, May 14, starting at noon on the grounds of the old historic courthouse, located at 725 Court St.

This year’s ceremony brought together a wide range of dignitaries, including select family members of the 12 fallen officers in Yolo County. Attendees included Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig; Woodland, California, Highway Patrol Capt. Ivan Tien; Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez; UC Davis Police Department Chief Joe Farrow; Davis Police Department Chief Todd Henry; West Sacramento Police Department Chief Robert Strange; Woodland Police Department Chief Ryan Kinnan; Winters Police Department Chief John Miller; Yolo County Retired Peace Officers Association founder and retired captain of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department Lee Refsland; Yolo County District Attorney’s Office Chief Investigator David Marshall; and Yolo County District Attorney’s Office Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorneys Melinda Aiello.

Honoring Sacrifice Through Tradition

The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard. Then, retired Lt. Doug Bera of the Woodland Police Department recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Shortly after, the beginning prayer was led by the Woodland Police Department Chaplain Matt Van Peursem.

“We come before you today as a family, united by a common bond, and to those who’ve been there, nothing compares with the heart-wrenching announcement of an officer down. We pause for a moment today to honor our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the ultimate price. They gave their lives to protect our families, our homes, our communities and our way of life,” Van Peursem said during the prayer.

Refsland and Capt. Tiem, who was the guest speaker, presented the memorial flowers at the Peace Officers Memorial monument.

Words of Reflection and Tribute

Tiem’s speech emphasized the importance of remembering the individuals behind the service. “We come together not only as a community, but as friends, colleagues, and coworkers to honor those who lost their lives in service of others,” he said.

He continued, “Today is not about statistics, headlines, or ceremonies alone. It’s about people. It’s about men and women who answered the calling greater than themselves, individuals who left the comfort of home each day and stepped into uncertainties so that others can live in safety and peace. They stood watch when others slept. They responded when others ran away and they enter dangerous situations, not because they’re fearless, but because somebody needed hope, and they believe they have the duty to respond, and that duty often comes with great personal cost.”

Tiem also acknowledged the families of the fallen, stating, “Behind every badge stands a family who also serves quietly, faithfully and courageously. So to the families here today, there are no words that can measure your sacrifice; the absence you feel cannot be filled with medals, ceremonies, and speeches. But please, know this: your loved one mattered, their lives mattered, their service mattered, and we will never forget them.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Tiem concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of continuing the legacy of those who have served. “Memorials are important because memories are important. But remembering them alone is not enough. The greatest tribute we can give is to live in a way worthy of their sacrifice.”

He urged attendees to honor the fallen through action rather than words alone. “Let us remember with gratitude rather than only sorrow. Let us honor by action rather than words alone. Let us support those who continue to serve and let us ensure the names and stories of our fallen remain woven into the heart and story of our communities for generations to come.”

Closing Rituals and Commemoration

The ceremony concluded with an End of Watch ceremony performed by Yolo County Sheriff’s Department Deputies Mark Saunders and Jason Wood. The end of the ceremony prayer was then again led by WPD Chaplain Van Peursem, and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard retired the colors.

Fallen Officers Listed

The following Yolo County Peace Officers are listed as officers who have died in the line of duty, along with the date of their End of Watch (EOW) and cause of death:

• California Highway Patrol
• Officer Andrew Stevens – EOW: Nov. 17, 2005 – Cause: Gunfire
• Sergeant Gary Wagers – EOW: March 15, 2001 – Cause: Vehicle Collision
• Officer William Freeman – EOW: Dec. 22, 1978 – Cause: Gunfire
• Officer Roy Blecher – EOW: Dec. 22, 1978 – Cause: Gunfire

• Officer Ivan Casselman – EOW: Aug. 24, 1935 – Cause: Motorcycle Collision

• Yolo County Sheriff’s Office

• Deputy Jose “Tony” Diaz – EOW: June 15, 2008 – Cause: Gunfire

• Deputy Walter Leinberger – EOW: Nov. 18, 1943 – Cause: Gunfire

• Winters Police Department

• City Marshall William Rice – EOW: Oct. 18, 1912 – Cause: Gunfire

• West Sacramento Police Department

• Officer James McKnight – EOW: June 16, 1990 – Cause: Gunfire

• Davis Police Department

• Officer Natalie Corona – EOW: Jan. 10, 2019 – Cause: Gunfire

• Officer Douglas Cantrill – EOW: Sept. 7, 1959 – Cause: Gunfire

• Woodland Police Department

• Officer Lawrence Sills – EOW: June 13, 1945 – Cause: Motorcycle Collision

Continuing the Tradition

After the ceremony, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office also held its annual walk to remember, which began at the Peace Officers Memorial monument, looped a mile in length, and concluded at Heritage Plaza.

Last year, during the 13th annual event, the special guest speakers included Captain Matt Davis of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and the family of Deputy Jose “Tony” Diaz, who died in 2008 from gunfire.