Rick Baratta
In 1970, little had been done by the State of California to recognize the final sacrifice made each year by peace officers of California. The federal government had already declared May 15, as Peace Officers Memorial Day but recognition by the State of California had not followed.
Finally, at the urging of Abraham Sussman, the issue was brought to the attention of the state and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.
The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), under the presidency of Kenny Joseph of La Mesa encouraged Senator Jack Schrade chairman of the important Senate Rules Committee, to introduce a resolution that would officially establish May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 occurs as Peace Officers Week. Senator Schrade Introduced Senate Rules Resolution Number 137 which was adopted on May 20. 1970. The resolution which was passed concluded with the following statement:
"RESOLVED, That a suitably prepared copy of this resolution be transmitted to Mr. Kenneth W. Joseph, president, Peace Officers Research Association of California."
PORAC was therefore instrumental in establishing California Peace Officers Memorial Day, but more than this seemed necessary to emphasize the significance and importance of such occasion.
In 1975 Joe Aceto of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was elected to the presidency of PORAC. Aceto along with PORAC Director Walter Colfer also of San Bernardino Sheriff's Department met with Rick and Don Baratta to discuss this issue of a memorial. Rick Baratta, former chief of police was then a consultant with the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training and liaison to PORAC. Rick's brother Don would later write articles for the PORAC News.
Another resolution needed
It was decided at this meeting that another resolution should be introduced that would call for a "memorial" to be erected in a "prominent location near the entrance of the State Capitol."
It was also decided that the resolution should contain the names of California Peace Officers slain in the line of duty and the ancient Greek epitaph from the Pass of Thermopylae. "GO STRANGER. AND TELL THE LACEDAEMONIANS THAT WE LIE HERE IN OBEDIENCE TO THEIR LAWS".
Many years later Rick Baratta then the general manager of PORAC would dwell on the meaning of this epitaph in a speech at the memorial ceremony:
“In the early 70s we were first developing the idea of the Peace Officers Memorial. We had searched assiduously for a concept or a theme that would describe and reflect the importance of what we were attempting: recognition for those of us who had been killed enforcing the people's law. Finally we recalled an incident in history that occurred over 2.000 years ago.
It was in a valley called Lacedaemon, and the people called themselves Lacedaemonians, Greece knew them as Spartans, the scattered. The Spartans had created a military society and a moral code that exalted bravery; to be good was to be strong and brave; to die in battle was the highest honor; to survive defeat was a disgrace; and to surrender was unheard of, just as today cowardice is unheard of among peace officers. "Return with your shield or on it" was the Spartan mother's farewell to her soldier son. Flight with the heavy shield was impossible.
Persia invades the Greek city states
In 480 B.C. Persia invaded the Greek city states with an army of well over a million. King Lionidas led 300 Spartans and several thousand other Greeks against the invading army. He had taken only fathers so that no family line should die out.
The Greek army halted the Persians at the Pass of Thermopolae and delayed them until nearly surrounded. Lionidas sent the other Greeks away to save them and with the remaining Spartans held the pass, outnumbered 3000 to one. Ten days after the battle began the last Spartan fell.
They were entombed there and over the tomb was placed the most famous Greek epitaph. "Go stranger and tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here in obedience to their laws.' 'This epitaph was also placed on the California Peace Officers Memorial as a reminder to the makers of the people's law that someone has to enforce the law and that task has been given to the peace officer.
It's a good job really. Except for the wear and tear on the soul, and a little more - always a little more as the list of names attests. An average of 15 officers a year will be killed enforcing the people's law in California, for the laws they pass two-by-two we pay for one-by-one.
Death is the final commitment
Although death may be the final commitment to our code it is not the only commitment nor the only cost. Lionidas never asked his soldiers to spend 20 years holding the Persians back but society expects the peace officer to stand in arms over 20 years holding back the jungle.
And each generation of peace officers will toll their 300 - or be tolled. More than half of each generation of peace officers will never reach normal retirement for the wear and tear and strain will take them out. Like ToffIers "planned obsolescence." they will become societies "throw away" cops,
No bells will toll for them. their names will never be recorded. No solemn ceremonies will be held. They are the discards and rejects of our profession whose human frailties could not weather the unendurable stand in arms. .
Still the shield the peace officer wears today stands as the shield of the Spartans stood between their people and their peoples' enemy. And I tell you their task is noble. Their task is august, and the names we place each year in the memorial book of the dead attests that they are pledged to that final commitment. And their word, pledged and kept is a measure of their worth.”
So Walter Colfer wrote the resolution and Senator Robert Presley, former undersheriff of Riverside County, introduced it as Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 94- April 6. 1976. It passed without opposition.
It indeed the memorial was not specifically described, other than "a memorial." This was done purposely so that there would be no controversy to impede the resolution's successful passage. A decade later a similar project would be launched by the federal government, the funds to be raised by contributions.
Before the year was out Rick Baratta was employed by PORAC as the general manager, and Joe Aceto won another term as president of PORAC. One of the first orders of business was to raise money and construct a memorial so as to comply with the Senate Resolution. Rick and Don Baratta designed the memorial and PORAC asked the police departments and associations to send in the names of officers who died in the line of duty and money to build the memorial.
The names came pouring in. some from the last century, a total of nearly 1000 names. The money came in a bit slower from donations of a single dollar to a thousand dollars each from The California Association of Highway Patrol Officers and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
The design of the memorial called for the names of the officers to be recorded in a large leather and velum book, flanked by two large medieval swords. Dave Keenan built the memorial case. Dick Calonder handcrafted the book, and Brenda Walton painted the illuminated design and inscribed by hand the names of the officers who had died in the line of duty.
Swords of the designated type were not available so Don Baratta carved the swords from wood and had them casted in bronze and plated. He also carved the handles of the swords from rosewood.
The first memorial was finally built and mounted on a wall at the entrance of the east Wing of the capitol. An article in the PORAC News described the initial dedication ceremonies:
"On Friday, Oct. 14, 1977, the California Peace Officers Memorial was dedicated with dignity and care near the governor's office and the legislative chambers of the State Capitol.
"Governor Jerry Brown accepted the Impressive monument from PORAC President Joe Aceto and Senator Robert Presley of Riverside. Father Frank Nouza, PORAC chaplain, gave the Invocation.
"The memorial, a huge book bound in leather, contains the hand- lettered names of more than 1000 state and local officers who have been killed since 1850 while performing their duties In California. There are pages enough to stretch forward to the twenty-first Century. Two glistening swords flank the book and a taped message tells the visitors what it’s all about.
''The memorial was placed, not without purpose, near the legislative chambers, and part of the tape recorded message states: ''This memorial was deliberately placed In the pathway of our legislators to remind them that every law they pass must be paid for."
(Ten years later the tape recording was removed during restoration).
Since then each year the memorial ceremonies were conducted at the State Capitol by PORAC. Different associations such as the California Association of Highway Patrol Officers have assisted in the ceremonies since PORAC has been obedient to the direction of the resolution "That such a monument be a perpetual memorial to all California Peace Officers."
The initial ceremonies were conducted in the foyer of the east wing of the capitol, but soon moved to a large committee room, and eventually the Senate Chambers. During the construction of the memorial, it became apparent that continual policy decisions were necessary, and a committee would have to be established.
Joe Aceto asked Senator Presley to chair the committee and appointed the following members:
Gene Muehleisen, past president of PORAC and former executive director of the Commission on Peace Officers Training, Sammy Hoyt, widow of former PORAC president Dave Hoyt, murdered by an escaping prisoner. The Reverend Frank Nouza, PORAC chaplain and graduate of the Oakland Police Academy.
The committee met and developed the guidelines for the inclusion of names in the memorial book, as well as the process employed in keeping track of those peace officers who died during the year. The ceremony itself, along with the protocol, was defined and PORAC staff was used for support services by the committee.
The surviving family, the department administration and association officers are invited to the ceremonies which have always included the governor and Senator Presley. Certificates are presented to the surviving spouse or parents by the governor, and in the last several years the ceremony has been videotaped, with copies sent to the families. A luncheon for all the families and guests is hosted by PORAC each year.
The makeup of the committee has changed slightly, with Gene Muehleisen resigning and Phil Jordan, of Vallejo PD, being appointed as chairman. Ken Baratta, of Compton PD, and Gil Coerper, of Huntington Beach PD, were also appointed to the committee.
In 1990, Jordan stepped down as chairman and Rick Baratta, PORAC News editor was appointed to the chair by PORAC President Larry Malmberg, of San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, Senator Presley, Reverend Frank Nouza and Sammy Hoyt were still on the committee, and Pauline Graham, of PORAC staff, has been the secretary to the committee for nearly ten years
Another Memorial
In 1986. Governor George DeukmeJian called upon Senator Robert Presley to again sponsor legislation establishing a suitable memorial to peace officers who died "in the line of duty."
The establishment of the nine-member California Peace Officers' Commission from this legislation developed into a new chapter in the memorial story. Just as the task of raising money to build the original memorial years before was a huge undertaking the commissioners had to set their sights at building a memorial monument that would stand for many years to come.
Appointments to the commission were made from various cross sections of the law enforcement com munity. Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and Senate Pro Tem David Roberti selected two members each with the governor presenting a list of five peace officers as commissioners.
The nine-member group consisted of eight peace officers and one police widow; Dick Moore chief of Atherton P.D Phil Jordon a police officer with the City of Vallejo, were elected chairman and vice-chair man respectfully. Lt. George Aliano of the Los Angeles Police Protective League was elected secretary and Bob Applegate of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen and a state traffic officer was named to serve as the commission treasurer.
Other commissioners representing large associations were Sgt. Jim Vogts, State Marshall's, John Duffy, sheriff of San Diego County; and Art Brown, deputy sheriff and a member of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Mrs. Sammy Hoyt, widow of deputy David Hoyt. Lake County Sheriff's Department, and senior officer Gil Coerper, Huntington Beach Police Department, along with Jordan represented PORAC.
The executive officer was a unanimous selection of Al LeBas, retired division chief with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and law enforcement liaison for Governor Deukmejian. LeBas was responsible for the general accounting of funds, scheduling of meetings, and a great deal of coordinating between the commission, the state, private agencies, and the sculptor/artists who submitted designs.
During the term of the commission. general expenses of members proved to be very low. Each member's own organization took turns hosting meetings; since all meetings were kept to one day each, the only major expense was airfare. The commission was also fortunate to have the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) organization provide the accounting services.
First task was the design
The first major agenda item was the design of the monument. The group was presented with five designs. Each had unique qualities and reflected the sculptor's thoughts about the death and history of the peace officer. Each sculptor/artist was also asked to present a financial estimate of the proposal and ideas on funding the project.
The design selected provided the viewer with a simple view of California law enforcement and its history, as well as the tragedy of losing an officer in the line of duty. The artist selected gave the best overall image of the project and an outstanding financial package as well.
Sculptor selected
Retired Division Chief Vic Riesau, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, turned Sculptor was very generous with ideas and very receptive to thoughts from the commission. His funding package was very acceptable because it provided the necessary plan to raise money to build the monument, while allowing each major contributor the opportunity to possess one of 500 numbered two-piece replicas of the statue.
The legislation required that the monument be in place in three years. The legislation was also specific about duties and responsibilities of each commissioner and established a sunset clause, Dec. 31, 1988. This was extended to Dec. 31, 1989.
A massive publicity and marketing campaign was started next. Law enforcement agency in California was notified, as well as POA's, DSA's, and many other statewide associations. It was initially hoped that all money raised would come from peace officers themselves.
After the design was circulated throughout California, many groups began reserving one or more of the 500, two-piece sets. Photos of Vic Riesau's design were published in many state wide publications, giving the contributor a view of what they were supporting.
Private donations accepted
The effort to keep this a "cop funded only" project fell way short however. Even with the generous support of second and third donations from several associations, the commission had to turn to "in kind" and "at cost" contributors from the private sector.
Added costs of several unanticipated changes in the project made the May 1988 deadline even more difficult. As dedication day neared, the contributions slowed, but many major contributors increased their donation to reflect newly designed "silver shield" and "gold star" categories. Bronze plaques on the back of the monument commemorate their support.
Private donations accepted
The effort to keep this a "cop funded only" project fell way short however. Even with the generous support of second and third donations from several associations, the commission had to turn to "in kind" and "at cost" contributors from the private sector.
Added costs of several unanticipated changes in the project made the May 1988 deadline even more difficult. As dedication day neared, the contributions slowed, but many major contributors increased their donation to reflect newly designed "silver shield" and "gold star" categories. Bronze plaques on the back of the monument commemorate their support.
The weather was also a major factor in May 1988. The day before the dedication ceremony and enrollment of officers who died in the line of duty during 1987 heavy rains threatened to spoil the many months of preparation. Workmen spent many hours toiling over every detail, working late into the night, knowing that at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 1988, several thousand people would be looking at their craftsmanship.
That dedication and support was truly reflected when Governor Deukmejian released the cover from atop the monument. At that moment more than 2,500 people, some seated and some standing, just stared at the three figures looking out into the grassy and tree-lined park. For a few brief seconds there appeared to be total silence, followed by thunderous applause.
As the woman and child figures and each individual plaque bearing hundreds of peace officers' names were unveiled, the pride and sense of honor that began to emerge from everyone present was almost overwhelming. As families, friends, and many peace officers began to push forward with the hope of getting a closer look, some had smiles, some had tears, while others just stood and stared.
Peacekeepers honored
At that moment, all of California had their memorial to honor their keepers of the peace. Just about everyone had to reach out and touch a leg, shoe or hand of the three-figured statue, or woman and child sitting on the park bench a few feet away.
The speeches, handshakes, and kind words of sympathy all but faded from memory, but the sense of unity and oneness remained as uniformed officers and deputies, wives, mothers and fathers, children, and friends slowly moved about.
The Peace Officers' Memorial Commission is now a vested part of California history. Its task is finished: hopefully the public, as well as the more than 60,000 peace officers in California, are grateful for the long hours and attention to detail shown by all of those involved with the project.
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