CHP Honors Fallen Officers At Sacramento Memorial

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Hundreds gathered in Sacramento as California Highway Patrol officers and their families remember their fallen.

Since the highway patrol was formed 75 years ago, more than 200 officers have been killed on the job. The first was killed by a motorist in 1929.

"We should always remember the sacrifice they made," Sgt. John Owens said.

Officer Andy Stevens, not forgotten: He was shot and killed instantly during a 2005 traffic stop in Yolo County. The shooter, Brendt Volarvich was found guilty of murder.

Officers Brian Law and Juan Gonzalez, not forgotten—their cruiser crashed in February while responding to a call in Fresno County. Their deaths came after a fatality free 2013 for the department.

Yolo County Sheriff Ed Prieto doesn't forget the fallen, and he's seen many.

"For me, being a highway patrolman it was the greatest experience of my life," he said.

He spent 31 years as a CHP officer. He says once CHP, always CHP.

"That old saying, 'Gone but not forgotten," rings extraordinarily true with law enforcement," he said.