South Bay Leader

Long Beach, CA – City of Long Beach officials honored fallen Police and Fire Department employees at the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony. The morning event, a longstanding tradition for the Police and Fire Departments, was held at the Police and Fire Memorial monument in the Civic Center Plaza downtown and paid tribute to the 29 police employees and 14 firefighters who have lost their lives in service to the Long Beach community.

“As we honor our fallen and the lives lost for the safety of our community, today and every day we remember the daily sacrifices made by our public safety personnel,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “My heart is with the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes, and my prayers are with the men and women of our Police and Fire Departments who continue to put their lives on the line for our safety every single day.”

The ceremony included remarks by Mayor Rex Richardson, Police Chief Wally Hebeish and Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan and was emceed by Police Deputy Chief Gerardo Prieto and Fire Deputy Chief Robbie Grego. Family and loved ones of the fallen were invited to attend and other City leaders were also in attendance.

Ceremonial elements included the posting of the colors, flag presentation, and two time-honored traditions of the Police and Fire Departments – a 21-gun salute and “Last Alarm” tribute. The 21-gun salute, consisting of three ceremonial gunshot volleys by the Long Beach City Honor Guards, is a tradition historically used by law enforcement, along with the playing of Taps, to honor, pay respect to and bid farewell to its fallen. The “Last Alarm” tribute, in the past, signified the beginning and end to a firefighter’s day of service, their summoning to the call of duty and the solemn announcement of a firefighter’s line of duty passing. Today, the ringing of the bell – three rings, three times each – serves as a moment of reflection, honor and respect to those who have given so much and who have served so well.

"At this time each year we gather as a community to honor our fallen police officers and firefighters,” said Police Chief Wally Hebeish. “We are honored to join the families and friends of our fallen in remembering the sacrifices made to protect our community.”

“I am thankful that we come together as a department and City to remember and reflect on our first responders who have given their lives in service to our community,” said Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan.

Community members may watch a playback of the Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on the following City platforms:

• City of Long Beach Facebook and Twitter pages @LongBeachCity and on YouTube @LongBeachCityCA
• Long Beach Police & Fire Department Facebook pages @LongBeachPD.CA and @LongBeachFD
• LBTV: LBTV3.com

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Original source can be found here.