Friends, family members and co-workers gathered Sunday to remember an Oceanside police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty.
On December 20, 2006, 25-year-old police Officer Dan Bessant was killed while responding to help another officer on a traffic stop at Arthur Avenue and Gold Drive in Oceanside.
It's the same intersection where on Sunday night, dozens gathered to start the Dan Bessant Memorial Run.
Bessant's former police partner, Sergeant Richard Schickel remembers him well.
"Even if we didn't have the run we wouldn't forget him," Schickel said. "It's Dan. We won't forget him."
The group of runners took off from the area where Bessant was shot and ran for about three and a half miles to the Oceanside police department.
There sits a small memorial for all of the department's fallen officers, including Bessant.
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"We miss Dan everyday. Some days a lot more than others," the fallen officer's father Steve Bessant said to the group of runners.
Steve and his family couldn't be more grateful for the unending support and love they receive at this annual memorial run.
Before the night is over, Steve lighted a blue candle near the fallen officer memorial and placed his hand on his son's name printed in the memorial.
Then at 6:33 p.m. a voice came over all North County police radios, "Please join us in a minute of silence for police officer Dan Bessant."
It's the same minute nine years ago today that Dan lost his life in the line of duty.
Two teenagers were arrested for the crime. Authorities concluded the killing was done for no other reason than it presented a chance for the documented gang members to gain respect, however warped, for shooting at police.
Meki Gaono and Penifoti Teaotui were both sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
