San Francisco police hold ceremony to remember fallen officers

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A moving tribute was held in San Francisco for fallen officers, not only those killed in Dallas and Baton Rouge, but for those who died in the line of duty in the Bay Area.

More than 100 officers have died in the line of duty in San Francisco and all of their names are etched into the wall at the new police headquarters. Friday was a day to remember all of them.

San Francisco Police Union president Marty Halloran read off the names of some of his colleagues,

"Officer Brian Tavero, Officer Nick Burko, and Sgt. Daryl Tsujimoto," officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Those who gathered Friday remembered their fallen colleagues from attacks in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

"Wake up America. Our police officers are the good guys," said Craig Floyd of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.

The police union said they chose the day because Hayward police Sgt. Scott Lunger was killed a year ago Friday. San Jose police were also mourning their losses. Officer Michael Katherman, who died in June, and Michael Johnson shot to death in March.

"We have been devastated by losing two officers in only 15 months," said San Jose Police Officer Association president Sgt. Paul Kelly.

Those at the event also remembered San Francisco firefighters Vincent Perez and Anthony Valerio. They died in a house fire on Diamond Height and they mourned those who died across the bay.

"In Oakland, it's been seven years since we lost our four heroes in on day and we are still healing," said one officer.

They were officers Mark Dunakin, John Hege, Ervin Romans Daniel Sakai, all killed during a manhunt for a gunman. The message to the public was this: "We chose this profession because we care. This is a calling to all of us," Halloran said.

They put their lives on the line for people they don't even know.