SLO detective Luca Benedetti among 36 fallen officers honored at California memorial
A sea of law enforcement personnel and family members gathered Sunday and Monday in Sacramento to honor more than two dozen California officers killed in the line of duty over the past four years.
Among them was San Luis Obispo police Det. Luca Benedetti, who died in a shootout while serving a warrant at the home of a mentally ill man on May 10, 2021.
The 44th annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial ceremonies included a candlelight vigil Sunday evening, followed Monday morning by the names of 36 fallen officers being formally enrolled into the monument.
The SLO Police Department said Chief Rick Scott and several members of the force attended Monday’s ceremony, along with the Benedetti family.
“Today we witnessed the name of a beloved member of our San Luis Obispo police family be forever cast in bronze at the foot of the California Police Officer’s Memorial,” Chief Scott said. “We will always remember and honor Detective Benedetti’s selfless service for our family and a grateful community. We will never forget Luca and the inspiring legacy he leaves behind.”
At the ceremony, Benedetti’s widow, Grace, was escorted by close family friend Officer Scott Pipan of the Atascadero Police Department, where Benedetti worked before joining the SLO Police Department. With her were daughters Ellie and Giovi.
“Thank you to everyone who has held us and Luca’s family in your thoughts this past year. Our gratitude is infinite,” the department posted Monday on its Facebook page.
The enrollment honored 28 California law enforcement officers who died between late 2018 and the end of 2021, along with eight “distant past” honorees who died more than 80 years ago.
“Today, we affirm our promise to honor and never forget their ultimate sacrifice,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, emceeing Monday’s ceremony. “We honor our heroes, because blessed are the peacemakers.”
The annual memorial event was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, leading to a larger ceremony than usual this year.
Hundreds of officers and family members attended Monday morning, wearing black, olive green and all shades of blue. Many family members brought roses. The crowd of uniformed officers spilled over from the monument to the West steps of California’s Capitol building across the street.
Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester — who at the end of 2021 became the city’s first woman to serve as chief — gave the keynote speech at Sunday’s vigil, during which the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation unveiled a new statue that depicts a female peace officer.
“We are here to remember them for the amazing people that they are, for what they brought to us as friends and members of our families, and to honor them for what they stood for,” Lester said.
The new bronze statue depicts a woman officer, kneeling and holding a flag. She is atop the center of the circular moment, which was topped Monday with hundreds of small American flags. The monument depicts three male officers who are standing overlooking the plaques.
Three women were among the 36 honorees Monday.
“I think it’s time that the females and the women in law enforcement are recognized just like our men,” said Merced Corona, father of Davis police Officer Natalie Corona, who was shot in January 2019 while responding to a traffic collision in downtown Davis.
Amanda Ray, the commissioner of the California Highway Patrol and also the first woman to hold that title, gave Monday’s keynote speech.
“Now, the thousands of people who visit our great state Capitol and tour the beautiful grounds each year will continue to be reminded of the sacrifices made not only by the men, but also women behind the badge,” Ray said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also attended, accepting an American flag folded by an honor guard comprised of officers and deputies from numerous law enforcement agencies. Bonta accepted a folded California flag.
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 6:37 PM with the headline "SLO detective Luca Benedetti among 36 fallen officers honored at California memorial."
