NICHOLSON PIPES AND DRUMS at the “Call to Duty” Memorial on Thursday (OC Tribune photos).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

Much of society may have turned its back on police, but Garden Grove hasn’t, former GGPD chief Kevin Raney said at Thursday’s 36th Annual “Call to Duty” Memorial.

The event honors the memory of Garden Grove police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty: Sgt. Myron Trapp (1959), Reserve Officer Andy Reese (1970), Officer Donald Reed (1980), Officer Michael Rainford (1980), Master Officer Howard Dallies (1993) and Lt. John Reynolds (2021).

After lauding the six fallen officers and speaking of the pressures of the profession, he referred to the “really difficult time to be a police officer … given, in some areas, the overall lack of support for law enforcement.”

FORMER POLICE CHIEF Kevin Raney.

He cited recent legislation which – he feels – have made the job of a police officer more difficult or dangerous, and noted that persons in law enforcement are under greater scrutiny than ever before. However …

“From my own experience, Garden Grove has always had a very supportive community, a very supportive city council and a very supportive city manager. They understand how difficult this job is and they prioritize law enforcement,” he said, adding “I hope you would find the good in the fact that Garden Grove supports their police officers, they support their police department.”

In addition to Raney’s comments and closing remarks by current Police Chief Amir El-Farra, there was a presentation of the patriotic poem, “My Name is Olde Glory” by Ed DesBiens and the Pacifica High School JROTC, two songs by the Bolsa Grande Concert Choir – including “America the Beautiful,” singing of the National Anthem by Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Hernandez and a 21-gun salute.

The Nicholson Pipes and Drums and GGPD Honor Guard opened and closed the ceremonies, and a helicopter flyover was the final touch. Capt. Brian Dalton served as master of ceremonies.