Peace officers memorial ceremony is a reminder of risks

Officers from every agency in Ventura County paid their respects to more than 30 officers killed in the line of duty.

Cmdr. Brent Kerr of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office read the names of officers killed between 1913 and 2006 during a memorial roll call outside the Ventura County Government Center Thursday morning.

Many of their names are engraved on a monument near a memorial rose garden.

Lisa Simmons, the author of ” 41D Man of Valor” served as guest speaker. Simmons is the widow of LAPD SWAT Sgt. Randy Simmons.

Many officers met Sgt. Simmons during trainings in Oxnard years ago.

The ceremony included a 21-gun salute by the Sheriff’s Honor Guard and taps played by Captain Ron Nelson of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

It ended with the symbolic release of birds by Steve “Smitty” Smith and Tony Silerio of the White Dove Company .