Oakland police honored at arena funeral

OAKLAND, Calif. " Thousands of mourners gathered with the families of four slain Oakland police officers for a joint funeral Friday that drew law enforcement officers from around the country, including members of the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

Officers Mark Dunakin, John Hege, Ervin Romans and Daniel Sakai were remembered for their dedication to their families, friends and a gritty job they loved despite the dangers.

Hege and Dunakin were gunned down March 21 when the two motorcycle officers pulled over a 26-year-old parolee during a traffic stop, authorities said. Romans, Sakai and the parolee died later in a shootout when the city's SWAT team stormed an apartment where the man was hiding.

The violent confrontation was the biggest single day, gun-related loss of life for law

enforcement since four federal agents died 16 years ago during a raid on the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas.

The officers' caskets were draped in American flags and shepherded to the Oracle Arena that passed under a giant U.S. flag held up by two fire truck ladders as they entered the parking lot. Among those speaking at the service Friday were Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and state Attorney General Jerry Brown, a former Oakland mayor.

A spokesman for Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums said the mayor was attending the service, but was asked not to speak by at least one family of the victims. Paul Rose said he did not know which family made the request or the reason.

Acting Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said at the start of the service that the officers were "our brothers."

"They rest in peace, because they were men of peace," he said.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama thanked the officers in a letter read by Oakland police chaplain Jayson Landeza, saying: "Our nation is grateful for the men and women who work in law enforcement. Their commitment to their fellow man will never be forgotten."

During his eulogy, Chris Dunakin recalled his brother Sgt. Dunakin as a "goofball" who loved to party and loved to be the life of the party. He also loved being a police officer.

"He loved the uniform and he loved the badge," Chris Dunakin said. "He always, always, always wanted to be police officer. We would play cops and robbers, and I would always play the robber."

Sakai's sister Toshi Sakai described her brother as "one cool dude" and an avid outdoorsman. She also noted his accomplishments in the police department and the SWAT division.

She said the department was "his home away from home and all his fellow officers were a part of his family."

Romans was recalled by his colleague Sgt. Rich Vierra as an expert marksman, who had a tough-guy persona, but melted when talking about his family.

"Erv had a passion and commitment like no one I've been around," added Capt. Rick Orozco. "He loved the men and women of OPD and was committed to ensuring their safety."

A Hege family friend, Janet Saalfeld, said the best way to pay tribute to the fallen officers was to help turn Oakland from a model city of crime to one of prosperity and peace.

She said Hege was determined, loyal, generous and a man who loved sweets.

He was a "brownie and beer man," she said. "This guy was not a chardonnay man."

New York City Police Lt. Tommy Ng, who attended the ceremony, said the tragedy brought back memories of Sept. 11. He said he was not surprised by the outpouring of support for his colleagues in Oakland.

"When one of us is hurt, all of us are hurt," Ng said before the service. "We're all brothers."

Minneapolis Police Sgt. Steve Blackwell said he and three other officers drove from Minnesota to the service in Oakland, even though they didn't know the slain policemen.

"It's a national tragedy, so it cuts pretty deep," Blackwell said. "We want to let the people of Oakland see that we care. I hope that this city finds strength from this tragedy to move ahead."

Oakland police officer John Wilson, a 25-year veteran of the force, said he knew the four slain officers and promised that their memories would live on.

"They made the ultimate sacrifice," Wilson said. "They will never be forgotten."

Carson City Undersheriff Steve Albertsen and half a dozen Carson City Sheriff's Honor Guard members attended today's funeral in Oakland.