Memorial service honors 55 Oakland police officers killed in the line of duty

OAKLAND — More than 250 relatives, friends and officers past and present paid their respects Wednesday at a memorial service honoring 55 Oakland police officers killed in the line of duty since 1867, who were remembered as being heroes who had the “courage to be a police officer.”

The ceremony at police headquarters, where those attending ranged from babies in strollers to people in their 90s, featured a reading of the names of two officers who died since December, now added as engravements on a lobby wall that highlights the names of 53 others.

They were Officer Tuan Le, 36, fatally shot Dec. 29, 2023 while responding to a burglary call, and Officer Jordan Wingate, 28, who died April 20, 2024 from injuries suffered in a police vehicle crash in August of 2018. The two officers had the largest contingents of family and friends present.

Acting Chief of Police Tony Jones called all of the officers killed “fallen heroes,” adding: “There are things in life that cannot be taught or trained into a person. One of those elements is courage. It takes courage to be a police officer. It takes even more courage to be a police officer here in Oakland. The officers we are here to remember today were born with that courage.”

Jones said that police officers know what the dangers are in their job and that many in Oakland have had close calls with death.

Acting Chief of Police Tony Jones speaks at the Oakland Police Department during an annual memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

“Those who don’t make it are the real heroes,” he said. “The heroes who risk it all so that the people who cannot protect themselves can be safe. Those are the heroes that we are here to honor today.”

The ceremony was also attended by incoming Oakland police chief Floyd Mitchell, who is expected to be sworn in next week, and Mayor Sheng Thao.

Deputy Chief of Police James Beere said the 55 who died were people with “backgrounds and stories as diverse as Oakland itself and who are forever bound by an unbreakable bond of valor.”

He said the law enforcement profession “is an unfair profession” with extremely high expectations, constant criticism where praise does not often happen.

“That is why their ultimate sacrifice means so much,” he said of the 55. They served and sacrificed for a purpose far greater than themselves. I can think of no truer definition of a hero.”

” ]Beere told the audience “there is no speech or ceremony that can ease your pain, no tribute or salute. But today we join together to honor their courage and to fill your hearts with our gratitude for the lives they led and know they will live on, not just in your hearts, but in the hearts of every Oakland police officer who continues to serve for generations to come.”

As in past ceremonies, the name of each of the officers was read out loud and relatives or a friend present pinned a rose in their honor to a floral display of a police badge.

Officer Sydney Kofford places flowers on a display during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Officers gather at the Oakland Police Department on 7th Street for an annual memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A color guard leads a procession of family members on their way to the Oakland Police Department on 7th Street for an annual memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Officers salute as family members of officer Tuan Le’s family and others arrive at the Oakland Police Department on 7th Street for an annual memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Le, 36, was fatally shot Dec. 29, 2023 while responding to a burglary call at a cannabis dispensary. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Officers gather at the Oakland Police Department on 7th Street for an annual memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Officers gather at the Oakland Police Department on 7th Street as family members of deceased officers arrive for an annual memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland police chaplain Father Jayson Landeza, left, and others, have a moment of silence during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A color guard presents flags during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for police officers killed in the line of duty as acting Deputy Chief Fred Shavies, right, gives the welcome address in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Incoming police Chief Floyd Mitchell takes part in an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Officers watch from the second floor balcony during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A member of the color guard takes a moment of silence during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Members of Officer Tuan Le’s family place a flower on a display in an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Le, 36, was fatally shot Dec. 29, 2023 while responding to a burglary call at a cannabis dispensary. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Members of officer Tuan Le’s family grieve as his name is read during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Le, 36, was fatally shot Dec. 29, 2023 while responding to a burglary call at a cannabis dispensary. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Incoming police Chief Floyd Mitchell, center, and other officers take part in an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Deputy Chief Angelica Mendoza wears a black band on her badge during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Mayor Sheng Thao greets musician Janice Maxi-Reid during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Deputy Chief Angelica Mendoza, second from right, and others attend an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Officer Jordan Wingate’s name was recently added to a list of officers killed in the line of duty, left, seen during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A family member of slain officer Daniel Sakai places flowers on a display during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for police officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Sgt. Anthony Martinelli tears up while reading names of deceased officers during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Deputy Chief Angelica Mendoza holds her hat during an annual memorial at the Oakland Police Department for officers killed in the line of duty in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

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