A large American flag flew above Long Beach’s Civic Center Plaza as city leaders, staff and community members gathered to honor first responders who died in the line of duty during the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony.
The Tuesday morning, May 12, event is a longstanding tradition for the Long Beach Police and Fire departments. People gathered at the Police and Fire Memorial monument for the annual tribute to the 29 police employees and 14 firefighters who died in service to the Long Beach community. Their names are engraved on the city’s Civic Center monument.
“Each year, we gather here for a solemn and sacred purpose to honor the Long Beach firefighters and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and show our respect as a grateful city,” Mayor Rex Richardson said during the ceremony. “Today, we honor their names, their service, and their legacy. May we never forget their sacrifice, may we always support the families who they left behind, and may we continue to live in a way that honors the courage, duty and love of community that define their service.”
The ceremony included remarks by the mayor, police Chief Wally Hebeish and fire Chief Dennis Buchanan. Police Deputy Chief Ryan LeBaron and LBFD Assistant Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau Jake Heflin were the masters of ceremonies.
Family and loved ones of the fallen attended the event, as well as city staff and community members. The annual memorial ceremony began with the posting of the colors and an invocation.
Long Beach Police Department Chief Wally Hebeish delivered remarks during the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach’s annual Police and Fire Memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, included a flag presentation. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach honored fallen police employees and firefighters during its annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach’s annual Police and Fire Memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, included two time-honored traditions of the police and fire departments – a 21-gun salute and “last alarm” tribute. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach honored fallen police employees and firefighters during its annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach’s annual Police and Fire Memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, included two time-honored traditions of the police and fire departments – a 21-gun salute and “last alarm” tribute. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach honored fallen police employees and firefighters during its annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Posting of the colors during the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson delivered remarks during the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach honored fallen police employees and firefighters during its annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach honored fallen police employees and firefighters during its annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach’s annual Police and Fire Memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, included two time-honored traditions of the police and fire departments – a 21-gun salute and “last alarm” tribute. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach honored fallen police employees and firefighters during its annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Fire Department Chief Dennis Buchanan delivered remarks during the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach’s annual Police and Fire Memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, included a flag presentation. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Long Beach Police Department Chief Wally Hebeish delivered remarks during the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
“Each year, we gather for this ceremony with heavy hearts but also with deep gratitude,” Buchanan said. “We come together not only to remember names etched in the metal plates behind me, but to honor lives defined by courage, sacrifice and service to others.
“Today, we pause as one community to remember the firefighters and police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty protecting the people of Long Beach,” the fire chief added. “For the Long Beach Fire Department, we honor the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their commitment to the city did not end with their final call. Their legacy continues in every fire station, every apparatus, every recruit class and every act of service carried out by those who follow in their footsteps.”
The firefighters received a “last alarm” tribute. In the past, the “last alarm” signified the beginning and end to a firefighter’s day of service, their summoning to the call of duty and the solemn announcement of a firefighter’s death line of duty, the city said.
Today, the tribute includes the ringing of a bell – three rings, three times each – and serves as a moment of reflection, honor and respect to those who have given it all in service to their community. Following the “last alarm,” Heflin read the names of the 19 fallen firefighters.
“Today in our city and throughout the week in Washington, D.C., we honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty,” Hebeish said, “and regrettably, we have to add more names to our nation’s law enforcement memorial each year. Names of officers who were killed doing their jobs.
“Just last year here in California, 12 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, half of them from agencies in Los Angeles County,” the police chief added, “fellow police officers and deputy sheriffs serving their communities right next door.”
Hebeish also took a moment to remind the Long Beach community that police officers also have families, friends and other responsibilities outside of their chosen profession.
“As people who willingly risk their lives for this law enforcement calling, they never know if and when their futures might be taken from them, but they accept this risk so that all of our futures won’t be taken,” he said. “For this and so much more, they deserve our admiration, gratitude and support.”
LeBaron read the names of the 29 fallen police officers, which was followed by a 21-gun salute consisting of three ceremonial shotgun volleys by the Long Beach Police and Fire Honor Guards.
The 21-gun salute is a tradition historically used by law enforcement, along with the playing of taps to honor, pay respect and bid farewell to fallen officers, according to the city. There was also a flag presentation to conclude the event.