SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - It was a somber tribute to the fallen, local leaders with over a hundred police officers came to pay their respects for a century of loss.
The names of all 86 officers killed in the line of duty in San Diego County were read aloud during San Diego police officers memorial ceremony in downtown San Diego.
The last name was officer Jonathan ‘JD’ De Guzman.
“JD was a great police officer but an even better man,” Wade Irwin.
It was the first time that Irwin spoke publicly
He was also shot in the same stop that took his partner’s life.
He said JD laid down his life for him.
“If it wasn’t for JD I would not be here today, there is no greater act of love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
During the ceremony, carnations sat on empty chairs in honor of the most recent officers killed.
One family who understands what it’s like to make the ultimate sacrifice told 10News that 15 years later, it still hurts.
“Every single day, that never goes away, so you feel for the family and the road ahead for that family,” said Leslie Kelly.
Kelly's brother Gerald Griffin was killed in 2003. He was hit by a car during a radar speed check in Pacific Beach.
