As the fearless leaders of local communities and our nation, police officers are more than just men and women with flashing lights on their cars. Concerns Of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S., is an organization that is remembered every year during the month of May.

C.O.P.S., is an organization of members that include spouses, children, parents and affected co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty. With state and local ceremonies held all over the country, the month of May is hugely significant to all people of the workforce that risk their lives on a daily basis.

One person that is held close to Ventura County’s Sheriff Department’s heart is 21-year-old Moorpark College student and Criminology major, Gabriella Aguirre, who lost her father in the line of duty when she was just 3 years old.

“In addition to working the day Gabriella’s father was killed and responding to help, I have endured the loss of two other
deputies during my career who have been killed in the line of duty: Senior Deputy Lisa Whitney and Deputy Robert
Bornet,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Captain Don Aguilar. “It is a time of reflection for
those deputies and police officers who have sacrificed their lives serving
their communities.”

With a personal connection and mission to spread the awareness not just to all officers, but to all citizens who risk their lives to serve us, Aguirre’s loss would become the catalyst to her life mission.

As the first child survivor in Ventura County in a long time, the department wanted her to get involved in spreading awareness.

“Losing a father gained me 500 fathers,” said Aguirre.

Starting at the age of five, the little girl who lost a father would be the inspiration to those men and women who wore the uniform of risk, only to keep citizens safe. Her main goal is to spread the knowledge of what these hard-working men and women really do.

Having returned from San Diego State University last May, Aguirre arrived with a loss of a passion for what people like her father and others in the line of duty do on a daily basis. She expressed that when she joined Moorpark College, the fire within returned, thanks to her Introduction to Criminology Professor Leeann Mulville.

“She is the student spearhead,” said Mulville, expressing her respect for what Aguirre is doing.

Aware of Aguirre’s personal commitment to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty and those who risk their lives everyday, Mulville has been a great help to Aguirre’s passion.

“Every person that goes out is sacrificing their lives for their community,” said Aguirre. “Support them, support families. At the end of the day we’re a team.”

She expressed that our generation should step up and respect any of those in the line of duty.

For those who risk their lives everyday, life can become difficult out on the field. Wise words that people like Captain Aguilar live by for constant inspiration to carry on strong and protect the community are said by colleague Sheriff Goff Dean.

“It is with utmost respect that we not only honor the service and sacrifice of those who paid such a high price for our safety, but we celebrate who they were and how they lived their lives,” said Dean.

Aguirre’s vision is to see Moorpark College’s parking lot and campus decorated with blue ribbons. She will be handing out ribbons on Tuesday at 10:00a.m. on Raider Walk.

If you do not attend Moorpark College, you can take part in the state and local ceremonies all over country. This year’s Ventura County Peace Officer’s Memorial will be May 22 at 10:00a.m. at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura.

For more information on the Memorial Event, visit www.tinyurl.com/VCPOM2014, and for more information on C.O.P.S visit www.nationalcops.org.