A select group of San Diego law enforcement officers — including a police dog — were honored this week in Washington, D.C., for their extreme acts of courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.
The officers were chosen as part of National Cop Week, an annual program that invites law enforcement officials from around the country to the nation’s capital to be recognized at events throughout the week held in their honor.
The honorees included Sir, a San Diego police canine who was shot and killed during an incident at Mesa College campus, as well as San Diego police Sgt. Anthony Elliott, who was shot and wounded during a confrontation in 4S Ranch.
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“National Police Week is about paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and unfortunately, this year’s list included some of our own who were killed in the line of duty,” San Diego police Chief David Nisleit said. “It was an honor to recognize their service in our nation’s capital with so many fellow law enforcement professionals.”
At a dinner hosted by the National Association of Police Organizations last Sunday, Elliott and officers Tanarat Crowe, Samuel Hernandez, Alicia Steidley, Darrion Talalele and Trevor Wright were named as recipients of 2024 Top Cops awards.
San Diego police Sgt. Jeremy Huff, left, Officer Adam Devor, center, and Christopher Gripp salute during a national law enforcement memorial ceremony on May 15, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
(Stefanie Tellez/San Diego Police Officers Association)
For the last three decades, organizers for the annual Top Cops awards have attempted to educate the public about law enforcement heroes while also paying tribute to “actions above and beyond the call of duty,” the association’s website reads. Law enforcement agencies from around the country are invited to nominate their peers for the recognition, but only officers involved in the selection committee’s top 10 cases are awarded.
The San Diego Police Department officers were nominated for their actions during a Dec. 7 incident in a Ralph’s parking lot on 4S Commons Drive that resulted in Elliot being shot in the head.
The officers were attempting to serve 46-year-old Curtis Harris with a emergency restraining order, but he ran away. As Elliot gave chase, the suspect opened fire, striking the sergeant in the head.
Crowe, Hernandez and Wright returned gunfire and fatally shot Harris. Talalele and Steidley dragged their wounded sergeant to cover and began medically treating him, the officers said.
The officers said they hope their story raises more awareness about the daily dangers for law enforcement.
“Those officers not only protected their community that night but provided lifesaving aid to Sergeant Anthony Elliott after he was shot in the head,” Nisleit said. “The work of those officers and the recovery of Sergeant Elliott is nothing short of amazing, and we are grateful to have them on the San Diego Police Department.”
Although many of the week’s events are dedicated to celebrating officers’ brave actions, somber ceremonies are set aside to remember law enforcement personnel who paid the ultimate price in the past year.
President Joe Biden speaks during a memorial service to honor law enforcement officers who’ve lost their lives in the past year during National Police Week ceremonies at the Capitol in Washington May 15, 2024.
(Susan Walsh / Associated Press)
During a candlelight vigil Monday, Riverside Deputy Darnell Calhoun’s name was one of eight added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall. The monument recognizes those killed in the line of duty throughout the country.
Calhoun — who worked for the San Diego Police Department from 2019 to 2022 — was fatally shot Jan. 13 while investigating a domestic violence call in Lake Elsinore.
During a ceremony last Saturday , Sir was one of 26 dogs posthumously honored at a memorial service hosted by National Police Dog Foundation.
Sir, a San Diego Police Department canine, was killed when police officers confronted a suspect at Mesa College.
(San Diego Police Department )
On the night of Aug. 2, the 4½-year-old Belgian Malinois and his handler, Officer Kyle Jachim, were called to assist with a standoff between a lone gunman and officers at Mesa College. The 33-year-old suspect, Benjamin Pickens, refused to follow officer’s orders and put down the gun.
As the dog ran toward the gunman, an officer fired his rifle at Pickens, who then shot Sir.
Both Pickens and Sir died from their injuries.
At the event, Jachim laid a rose at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
