Mural at Alameda County Fair honors slain officers

PLEASANTON, CA

The fair opens on Wednesday and runs through July 11. Bay Area artist Philip Long, who crafted the mural, will be available to discuss his work from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday.

The work honors Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy, Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord, Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, of Danville, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35, of Castro Valley.

Dunakin and Hege were shot after they stopped parolee Lovelle Mixon, 26, in a routine traffic stop in Oakland on March 21, 2009. Dunakin was killed and Hege died after being taken off life support two days later.

Romans and Sakai were slain with bullets from an assault weapon when they entered an apartment where Mixon was reported to be barricaded. Other officers then returned fire and killed Mixon.

Incorporated into the mural are pieces of leather that were donated from each of the officer's uniforms.

Following the exhibition at the fair, an auction will be held on eBay and proceeds will be placed into an education fund for the children of the slain officers.

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