Santa Barbara police wear mourning bands in wake of SLO detective killed in line of duty

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Santa Barbara Police Department spokesman Sgt. Ethan Ragsdale said officers are issued mourning bands and hope to never use them. He said protocol goes with them.

"We wear these bands starting on the day of death up until they are placed to rest and have their funeral, so, it is absolutely an emotional, and sad day for us to lose a brother, just so close to home," said Ragsdale.

They placed the solid black bands across their badges as soon as they learned San Luis Police Detective Luca Benedetti died in the line of duty on Monday evening while serving a warrant. Detective Steve Orozco was injured.

On Tuesday morning they learned of another officer killed in the line of duty in Stockton. The officer, identified as Jimmy Inn, was shot and killed responding to a domestic violence call involving a child.

Both offers leave behind families and friends.

Ragsdale said it hits home. He said officers have an At Ease Program to help them share their feelings if they choose to do so.

The deaths also coincide with National Police Week 2021.

On Friday, Santa Barbara Police will be hosting a Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. outside the station at 215 E. Figueroa. The department will honor six officers killed in the line of duty between the 1920s and 1970s.

They will also be thinking about the officers killed this week in San Luis Obispo and Stockton.