Burial for slain deputy held in Citrus Heights; community gives respect

Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver was laid to rest Monday in Citrus Heights, after traffic was blocked on Greenback Lane to allow an extensive law enforcement procession to make its way to Sierra Hills Memorial Park & East Lawn mortuary, before continuing to Fountain Square Drive for a private reception at the Citrus Heights Community Center.

Although attendance at the burial and reception was restricted, those wishing to pay tribute to the fallen Deputy were invited by the Sheriff’s Department to stand alongside portions of the procession route, with some doing so near city hall.

“I wanted to bring my grandson out to see the camaraderie of law enforcement coming together,” said Citrus Heights resident Sharon Day, who brought 3-year-old Jackson out to see the procession and pay respect to the fallen deputy.  She said the shooting was personal to her because she works near where the fatal shooting occurred just over a week ago, and said the area around her workplace was teaming with law enforcement officers that day.

Although the Department made an effort to publicize the procession path in advance and advise alternative traffic routes, some drivers had no idea what was going on, with Twitter lighting up from comments about seeing “30 Sheriffs” at once, and user “@jmeanz” commenting, “there’s literally traffic everywhere in Citrus Heights right now.”

Prior to the burial, a public memorial service was held in the morning at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, attended by thousands of law enforcement officers from numerous agencies. Family members of Deputy Oliver were honored during the memorial as well, with Sacramento Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Jason Ramos offering some kind words.

“Our nation is grateful to you,” said the sergeant to family members of the slain deputy. “We hope that you find strength to bear the loss and you know that our nation will always remember and honor the one you loved.”

The families were also financially helped “within 72 hours” by the Citrus-Heights based organization “Badges Supporting Fallen Officers’ Families,” according to Bret Daniels, a founding member and former Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy. The organization’s website states it was founded to provide immediate assistance to families of officers who were killed in the line of duty, to “bridge the gap until resources from federal, state, local or life insurance are made available.”