A flag is flown outside of Harvest Christian Fellowship as people file in for the service on April 16.
A California Highway Patrol officer who was killed on duty by an allegedly drunken driver April 6 was honored April 16 in memorial services at Harvest Christian Fellowship at 10 a.m.
A procession for Sgt. Steve Licon began at 7:30 a.m. at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary on Magnolia Avenue and continued Harvest on Arlington Avenue for the services.
Licon was killed while performing a routine traffic stop. Michael Joseph Callahan, 36, was allegedly driving the car that struck Licon and was charged with second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty in the case.
Among those attending the memorial services were Gavin Newsom, California governor, and William “Rusty” Bailey, Riverside mayor. Bailey said he was inspired by Licon and the life he lived.
“I’m proud that the city of Riverside and Harvest Church hosted this incredible tribute to a fallen law enforcement officer,” Bailey said. “He exemplified public service.”
Along the route, many community members came out to remember Licon and show their support for the Riverside Police Department. One of those people was Elizabeth Fox, a teacher at John Adams Elementary School.
“When we heard that the service was going to be held so close to the school at Harvest, we decided to make some signs, grab our flags and come out and show our support for the fallen officer,” Fox said.
Fox and her fellow teachers also decided to bring their students with them to watch the procession. She said they felt it was important for the students to learn about supporting the community.
“(The other teachers and I) wanted to show the (students) that it’s important to be there for the officers who keep us safe and to show (the students) that the officers are our friends,” Fox said. “They’re here to protect us and when something like this happens, we need to support them.”
Ryan Railsback, Riverside Police Department public information officer, said this display of support for a fallen officer is typical among members of the police force.
“Generally, you’ll see a lot of law enforcement vehicles from all different parts of the country. A lot of them are off duty, too,” Railsback said. “They’re just paying their respects to a fellow officer who was killed in the line of duty. There is this kind of brother and sisterhood among the law enforcement, just like you see in the military.”
Railsback said an estimated 5,000 people attended the memorial service to remember Licon and pay their respects. Many of the memorial’s attendees were affiliated with police departments throughout California, as well as across the country.
Among the states represented by members of their police force was the Arizona State Troopers.
Capt. Jacob Pruet, motor commander of the Arizona troopers, said Licon, as a motor police officer, was a part of a family.
“(Motor police officers) are a family, so it was important for us to honor him,” Pruet said. “Unfortunately, this happens more than we would like it to, but for any state-level law enforcement or motorist (police officer’s) death, we will always try to go.”
Licon is survived by his wife, daughter and stepdaughter.
California Highway Patrol officers line up to lead the procession to Harvest Christian Fellowship from Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary. 
California Highway Patrol officers line up to lead the procession to Harvest Christian Fellowship from Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary. 
Vanessa Sapikowski, Riverside resident and wife of a California Highway Patrol officer, and her children show their support as the procession leaves Harvest Christian Fellowship. 
California Highway Patrol helicopters fly in a missing man formation over the funeral procession at Harvest Christian Fellowship. 
A California Highway Patrol officer leads the rider-less horse, used as a symbol for the fallen officer. 
A California Highway Patrol officer leads the rider-less horse, used as a symbol for the fallen officer. 
A California Highway Patrol officer salutes as fallen officer Sgt. Steve Licon’s casket is led to the hearse.
Correction: An earlier caption misidentified Riverside Fire as California Highway Patrol.
