2 slain California police officers remembered at memorial
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Thousands of people gathered Tuesday to remember a rookie police officer just back from maternity leave and a veteran only months away from retirement who were shot to death in what authorities called an ambush by a gang member.
Relatives and a co-worker told officers from across the country and other mourners that Palm Springs police officer Jose “Gil” Vega, 63, loved coffee and doughnuts, golf and telling jokes — and above all, public service.
Lesley Zerebny, 27, was remembered as a dedicated new officer passionate about helping others and with a promising law enforcement career ahead of her.
The youngest of Vega’s eight children, 8-year-old Vanessa, addressed the 10,000 people who converged on the Palm Springs Convention Center for the memorial service.