GARDEN GROVE Police Department honor guard (Orange County Tribune photos).

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

For the 38th time, the Garden Grove community gathered to commemorate the sacrifices of its police officers at the “Call to Duty” Memorial observance on Thursday in front of the police headquarters building.

Honored for sacrificing their lives in public service were Sgt. Myron Trapp (1959), Officer Andy Reese (1979), Officer Donald Reed (1980), Officer Michael Rainford (1980), Master Officer Howard E. Dalles Jr. (1993) and Lt. John Reynolds (2021).

RETIRED JUSTICE WILLIAM W. BEDSWORTH.

The ceremony included traditional elements such as the playing of bagpipes, the singing of patriotic and mournful songs, comments by Police Chief Amir El-Farra, a 21-gun salute and a flyover of helicopters.

New to this year’s observance was a dash of humor – followed by some harsh truths – from retired Justice William W. Bedsworth.

He began by poking some fun at himself, saying “Once before I die, I hope to have an introduction I can live up to.”

He set a tone for the address by referring to a “screwball” baseball relief pitcher – Luis Arroyo – who sometimes won and sometimes failed.

That was especially true as a public speaker, especially for one whose audience as a judge often consisted of people dressed in orange jumpsuits.

“I owe a lot to people in law enforcement,” he said, tracing the practical education he got while going from a “wet-behind-the-ears” assistant district attorney to a full-fledged Superior Court judge.

“I learned more from them in 90 days than I did in three years in law school.”

But he grew serious talking about his role. “You don’t need a keynote speaker. You don’t need someone to set the tone,” he said. “Everyone here knows how important police are. Everyone knows how valuable was the work of the people honored here today in particular.

“But I can say ‘thank you.’ To all of you. To the six fallen Garden Grove police officers. To all who protect me and my amily and the three million people who live in this county.

“These are tough times to be a police officer…. but there is no good time to be a cop. Police work is dirty, dangerous and difficult,” he continued. “It always has been and it always will be.
“So I am here to thank you for doing this thankless job. We have no idea why you are willing to do this dangerous job. But we thank you for doing it.”