Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 26, 2012

5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views News Saturday, May 26, 2012

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

 Recently 
the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
held its 35th Annual Memorial Torch Relay 
which was established in 1976 to honor the 
memory of those brave, dedicated peace 
officers in Los Angeles County who have 
sacrificed their lives in the performance of 
their duties. The three-day run consists of 
59 legs, each approximately 4 to 10 miles in 
length, totally 339 miles overall. Over 2000 
runners, most of whom are peace officers 
run during their off duty time to honor 
the lives of the fallen. But there are also 
civilian personnel and volunteers, family members and friends 
who participate. The relay began Friday morning, May 18 at the 
Sherman Block Headquarters Building in Monterey Park and 
traveled to each mainland Los Angeles County Sheriff’s patrol 
station. On Catalina Island is the Avalon Station. Although this 
station is not on the mainland, they still wanted to honor their 
fallen brothers. Since no runner could bring the torch there, 
Avalon Station did their own run along Crescent Street from the 
Casino to the Catalina Express Dock. This year’s runners included 
Deputy Greg Salcido, who coordinated the run, Volunteer Tabby 
Vasquez, Wonder Dog Bandit, the station’s mascot, and Sergeant 
Bob Beradi. In the jeep following was Operations Sergeant Fernie 
Vasquez. These runners participated in memory of this year’s four 
honorees.

 Sheriff Lee Baca began the event by speaking of the 
dedication of all peace officers and how they daily put their lives 
on the line. After the Sheriff spoke,the torch was lit and he led the 
first leg to East Los Angeles Station. After East LA, the runners 
were going to Temple Station. I arrived at Temple Station, and 
there were several Temple runners and a few bikers waiting. 
Among them were Lieutenant Tom McNeal, Detective Chris 
Zuniga, and Deputy Arlene Gray who had been involved with 
our “MAD” area over the years. Deputy Serano held a banner. 
On one side was “Deputy Dave March” and on the other, Deputy 
Blevens. Both were assigned to Temple Station when they died 
in the line of duty. The Sheriff led the East LA runners and the 
torch was passed to Temple runners. They proceeded down 
Las Tunas Drive to Live Oak Avenue and stopped at the Dave 
March Memorial where the banner was placed. Lieutenant Jacob 
thanked the participants and spoke of Dave and his great sacrifice. 
There was a moment of silence and the runners proceeded to 
San Dimas. Because of great distances between various stations, 
there were several stops at strategic streets along the way and 
the torch was passed. The Station Route was from San Dimas to 
Walnut/Diamond Bar, Industry, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Cerritos, 
Carson, Lomita, Compton, Century, Old Lennox, Marina Del 
Rey, West Hollywood, Old Malibu, and then Santa Clarita. At 
the corner of Stevenson Ranch and Poe Parkways in Stevenson 
Ranch is a beautiful memorial to Deputy Jake Kuredjian. Runners 
representing East Facility Pitchess Detention Center came to Jake’s 
Memorial first. Berj Parseghian ran for his cousin Jake and placed 
a flag at the Memorial. There also was a young man carrying a 
banner for his father, Deputy Shane. The runners then proceeded 
to Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station and the torch was passed. 
Lieutenant Weiss came outside and thanked the participants. 
They ran for Constable J. Edward Brown, the first Santa Clarita 
Deputy killed in the line of duty on September 14, 1924, Deputy 
Arthur Pelino, March 19, 1979, Deputy Randy Hamson, October 
24, 2008 as well as Deputy Jake Kuredjian, August 31, 2001. 

 
From Santa Clarita Station, the runners traveled to Palmdale, 
Lancaster, and Cresenta Valley Sheriff’s Stations. The last stop was 
Altadena Sheriff’s Station. On Wednesday, May 23, the four new 
names were added to the Memorial, the torch lit by the Sheriff 
and doves released. What a beautiful tribute has been given to our 
fallen heroes! This three-day run happened during very cold late 
evening/wee morning hours or scorching hot days. But nothing 
could deter the runners’ spirits. This was something that must 
be done. We must NEVER forget those who made the ultimate 
sacrifice. 

FALLEN HEROES HONORED IN THE 35TH ANNUAL 
PEACE OFFICER MEMORIAL TORCH RUN


Clockwise from the top: Runners from Avalon, the Temple City Crew and on the left, 
John Benedict at the end of the race in Altadena. Photos by Joan Clayton


Pet Of The Week - CJ: Animal ID #A4425448


Meet a dog that could be a rising canine 
superstar with his handsome face, CJ 
(A4425448). CJ is a genial eleven month old 
tricolor male shorthaired Chihuahua puppy 
who was jettisoned at the Baldwin Park 
Animal Care Center when his former owners 
moved and made no provisions for their 
dog. Weighing thirteen pounds, this little 
medium energy boy walks okay on the leash, 
but does not seem to have had any formal 
training. CJ is still a puppy, and with the right 
guidance and tactics, he will be an awesome 
companion for anyone! Great with children 
and other dogs, he seems to be scared of cats. 
CJ will make a wonderful companion for 
anyone in any living situation. To watch a 
video of CJ please visit: www.youtube.com/
watch?v=qBT7IvfGiik

To meet CJ in person, please see him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin 
Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378 or 626-962-3577). He is currently available now. For any 
inquiries about CJ, please reference his animal ID number: A4425448. The shelter is open seven 
days a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a high-intake 
shelter with a great need for adoptions. 

For more information about Heidi or the adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals 
Volunteer Adoption Coordinator Samantha at samanthasayon@gmail.com or 661-309-2674. To 
learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter through its 
Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for adoption 
in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.

“KNX ON YOUR CORNER” TO EXPLORE THE

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY FOOTHILLS ON JUNE 1

Station will broadcast live from Old TownMonrovia

 “KNX on Your Corner” will take an in-depth look at some of the foothill cities of the San Gabriel 
Valley on Friday, June 1 as part of KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO’s ongoing look at Southern California’s 
diverse regions.

KNX’s programming will focus on a group of communities set between the San Gabriel Mountains 
and the 210 Freeway in the 200 square mile valley: Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Azusa, Bradbury 
and Glendora. A series of special features and news reports will examine the area’s rich history, 
including its transition from farmland to the suburban bedroom communities of today. Featured 
on-air guests throughout the day willinclude civic and business leaders.

News anchors Dick Helton and Vicky Moore will kick off the live broadcast from 5:00 – 9:00am 
from the Monrovia Coffee Company at 425 Myrtle Avenue, in the heart of ld Town Monrovia. Frank 
Mottek will host the KNX Business Hour from 1 – 2:00pm and Jim Thornton and Diane Thompson 
will anchor KNX’s news coverage from 2 – 7:00pm. Free coffee will be offered throughout the event.

“KNX on Your Corner” is presented by The Monitoring Center. Complete details

are posted at www.cbsLA.com/onyourcorner.

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