Fallen San Diego Police Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman and his partner Wade Irwin were honored at a local high school on Friday night.
A football player sprinted onto the field holding the American flag high at Del Norte High School in the 4S Ranch community of San Diego. The show of patriotism was all part of the 4th annual Honoring Our Military Night at the high school.
“Quite often we don’t say thank you enough and it’s a very simple gesture which we don't do very much. This is our way of saying 'thank you'," said the school's Athletic Director, Mike Giaime.
Officer De Guzman and Officer Wade Irwin were gunned down during a traffic stop in July. De Guzman was shot multiple times, at point-blank range in his patrol vehicle and died from his injuries. Officer Irwin continues to make a recovery from his injuries.
Officer De Guzman's son, Jonathan Jr. De Guzman, was standing on the sidelines with officers from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).
“Deep down inside we’re all hurt. Very hurt,” said SDPD Sgt.Kelly Davis. “It’s a very difficult tragedy. We will move on. We'll continue our work. But a part of us is lost."
Del Norte football players wore the names of veterans and police officers on their jerseys.
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“Thank you very much. It means a lot," former San Diego Police Lt. Rea Shea told player Jalani McCall, who wore Shea’s name on the back of his jersey.
“They’re really big figures in our community so to honor him was a great doing,” said McCall.
Lynn Aguilera, who's husband had been active-duty Marine says it was a special night.
“We honor him a lot at home,” said Aguilera. “But to be honored here, amongst friends, it's special. It really is special."
At the end of the game, players took their jerseys and presented them to the honorees.
