By Kimberley Sander San Gabriel Valley – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department hosted its 36th Annual Memorial Torch Relay Run throughout the San Gabriel Valley from May 17 – 19. This special event was established back in 1976 to honor the memory of fallen peace officers in Los Angeles County. This year’s participants ran in honor of Deputy Constable Charles De Moranville, Deputy Harry S. Guard, and Deputy Emma Benson, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; and Chief Henry P. Tracy of the Pomona Police Department. These brave officers were killed in the line of duty between 1909 and 1919. The relay run consisted of 56 legs of four to ten miles each, travelling a circuit of mainland Sheriff Stations covering over 300 miles. This year’s relay began at Monterey Park headquarters on Friday, May 17, and concluded at the Altadena station on Sunday, May 19, with the Memorial Torch being passed at each station. Sheriff’s Deputies from Walnut, San Dimas and City of Industry stations joined other deputies from around the county to make up the nearly 2,000 participants. Deputy Aaron Scheller of the Walnut Sheriff’s Station, who ran an eight and a half mile leg said, “For everyone in law enforcement, it is important to remember the sacrifices made in the line of duty. It is a day to ponder how important our jobs are. We could have our names on a t-shirt some day, and we need to honor those that have given their lives in service.“ The Walnut Deputies received the torch from Pomona deputies, and delivered it to the Industry station. Story Contributions by George Ogden.
