Source: The Press Enterprise
04:50 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 4, 2010
By PAUL LaROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
Just days from graduating at the top of his recruit class last May, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Nathaniel Afolayan collapsed during a training exercise in the New Mexico heat, and later died.
Because the 29-year-old resident of San Jacinto in Riverside County was to be stationed in Murrieta, his name was added Monday to the memorial honoring fallen Riverside County peace officers. In an emotional ceremony, his commander told a large crowd of the mark he left behind.
"It was no surprise to me that he was selected as his class leader and graduation speaker", said Agent in Charge Walter Davenport, choking up as he read an excerpt from the commencement speech Afolayan was to give.
"Remember, we are all warriors that stand and fight for what is right, just and lawful."
Photo: Jody De La Rosa/Special to The Press-Enterprise
(Lt. Ed Blevins, from left, Capt. John Wallace and Detective Cliff Mason of the Riverside Police Department salute during the Riverside County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony.)
Several hundred people gathered in front of Riverside police's fallen officer memorial statue downtown for the program that honored Afolayan and each of the 54 men and women before him that died while protecting the county. Survivors of many attended.
Speakers included Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff and District Attorney Rod Pacheco. Acting Riverside police Chief John De La Rosa led the event by recalling its origin, following the 1982 fatal shooting of Officers Phillip Trust and Dennis Doty.
The tragedy drove colleagues to commission the "Safe in His Arms" statue outside police headquarters and run a mile for each of the 28 names that were then on the memorial. On Monday, a group ran two miles to signify that original gesture.
"This is to let you know that we have not forgotten about you," said Don Taulli, a recently retired Riverside police Sergeant who helped organize each year's memorial.
In the front row as he spoke was Afolayan's wife, Lisa, their two young children and other family. After an honor guard conducted the traditional flag folding, and helicopters flew overhead, Lisa Afolayan expressed her appreciation.
It had been one year and two days since the death of her husband, a native of Nigeria who graduated with honors from Cal State San Bernardino.
"You don't want to see anyone's name added," she said. "But it means a lot."
Reach Paul LaRocco at
951-368-9468 or plarocco@PE.com
