Photo courtesy County of San Diego
East County News Service
May 7, 2026 (San Diego) — Under the glow of a blue-lit “Wall of Light” at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego, local law enforcement agencies paid tribute on Wednesday to the men and women officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The annual San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony, themed “A Time to Remember,” served to remind people of the risks those in uniform face. The San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation chose the theme to support and uplift families, colleagues and friends of the fallen.
This year’s ceremony held a historic and heartbreaking significance for East County and the larger San Diego County community as a whole with the name of Officer Lauren Craven permanently etched into the memorial wall.
Craven, a member of the La Mesa Police Department, became the 92nd name added to the memorial since 1850. Her addition marks the first time an officer from the LMPD has been killed in the line of duty.
Craven, 25, died on October 20, 2025, as part of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 8 while attempting to assist 19-year-old De’Veonte Morris. Both Craven and Morris lost their lives at the scene.
“May we never become so accustomed to safety that we forget who makes it possible,” said La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney during the ceremony.
Traditions and moving forward
The ceremony was marked by several deeply rooted law enforcement traditions designed to honor the fallen and support their grieving families.
There was the “Riderless Horse,” a poignant symbol of a fallen soldier or officer who will never ride again; there were three empty chairs placed to represent the absence of those lost; there was a three-volley rifle salute and a water salute across the San Diego Harbor; and law enforcement bagpipers and mounted patrols from across the region also participated in the procession.
Following the reading of the names, the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation provided families with paper and pencils to create charcoal rubbings of their loved ones’ names from the wall.
The memorial coincides with National Law Enforcement Month. Throughout May, the Wall of Light at Waterfront Park will remain illuminated in blue to recognize the service of officers nationwide.
The tribute to Officer Craven will continue next week on a national stage. Her name is scheduled to be read aloud during the National Peace Officers Memorial ceremony in Washington, D.C., ensuring her sacrifice is recognized by the entire country.
For those unable to attend the local service, an online memorial remains available to view the names of all fallen officers from across the San Diego region.