Grieving with our CHP colleagues
The entire law enforcement community is reeling from the line of duty deaths of five California Highway Patrol officers in the last two months. The toll makes 2010 the deadliest year for the CHP in more than a decade. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families, friends and colleagues of these five selfless and dedicated officers who committed their lives to protecting the safety of millions of California residents and visitors.
As with any other law enforcement career, being a CHP officer can be dangerous. Officers provide public safety every day to those who are in need of our assistance whether it’s in a hazardous situation or a controlled environment. The CHP provides the best training available to ensure that the duties of an officer are carried out in the safest way possible, both for the public, as well as the officer. What makes these deaths especially hard to understand is that the officers were doing the right thing. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger summed up the feelings of many when he said, “Each has been a terrible loss for our state, and together they underscore what a dangerous job our CHP officers face every day. We can all help prevent tragedies and save lives by giving our officers space when they are making a traffic stop."
The members of the Los Angeles Police Protective League are united as one as we mourn the loss of these five outstanding officers:
Officer Brett Oswald
Officer Brett Oswald of San Luis Obispo died in the line of duty on June 27. He served as a CHP officer for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Oswald; mother, Linda Oswald; and father, Richard Oswald.
Officer Justin McGrory
Officer Justin McGrory of Barstow died in the line of duty on June 27. He served as a CHP officer for nearly three years and is the son of retired CHP Lieutenant Robert McGrory. Officer McGrory is survived by his expectant wife Kelly McGrory; father, Robert McGrory; mother, Jeana McGrory; son Liam (1 year old); stepson, Cade Hamilton (4 years old); and stepdaughter, Erin Hamilton (7 years old).
Officer Philip Ortiz
Officer Philip Ortiz of Los Angeles died in the line of duty on June 22. Officer Ortiz served as a CHP officer for 28 years, including as a motor officer for over 20 years in the West Los Angeles Area. He is survived by his wife, parents, sister and a large extended family.
Officer Thomas P. Coleman
Officer Thomas P. Coleman of San Bernardino Officer died in the line of duty on June 7. He is survived by his wife, two young children, mother, three sisters and brother, LAPD Officer I Mike Loizzi of Devonshire Area.
Officer Daniel Benavides
Officer Daniel Benavides of the Border Division died in the line of duty on May 7. He had served as a CHP officer for more than 13 years. He is survived his wife and their 9-year-old daughter.
Like city policing, patrolling the roads and highways of our state, is a dangerous profession. We hope and pray it will be a very long time before we mourn the loss of any more of our fellow officers, regardless of which agency they belong to.
MEMORIAL FUNDS FOR RECENTLY FALLEN CHP OFFICERS
Memorial funds for Officers Thomas Coleman, Philip Ortiz and Justin McGrory:
Accounts are set up at CAHP Credit Union. Make checks payable to their wives (see below).
Mail checks to:
CAHPCU
PO Box 826
San Dimas, CA 91773
Officer Thomas Coleman – Make checks payable to Jamie Coleman
Officer Philip Ortiz – Make checks payable to Jessica Ortiz
Officer Justin McGrory – Make checks payable to Kelly McGrory
Memorial fund for Officer Brett Oswald:
SLO LEAF (Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation) (Identify Officer Oswald in the memo line or on a note with cash) 200 N. Halcyon Rd.Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
