Updated: April 17, 2004 at 12:42 a.m.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- Slain San Francisco police Officer Isaac Espinoza Friday was recalled as someone who stood out for his spirit and dedication, even from his earliest days as a young recruit eight years ago.
"He was the kind of man any nation would be proud of," said police Chief Heather Fong, "the kind of man you trusted." She said she would long take inspiration from his smile and laugh, even though an "assassin's bullet" claimed the 29-year-old's life Saturday night.
His funeral at St. Mary's Cathedral, attended by dozens of family members including Espinoza's widow and tiny daughter, was marked by a somber display: Rows and rows of law enforcement officers from around the state saluted, a bagpipe brigade played, helicopters flew overhead and the city's mounted horse patrol stood silently by.
Surrounding streets were shut down so mourners could pass through in peace, and dignitaries present included not only Mayor Gavin Newsom but U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Attorney General Bill Lockyer in addition to former San Francisco Police Chiefs Fred Lau and Frank Jordan and city Supervisors Tom Ammiano and Jake McGoldrick.
At today's ceremony, Senator Feinstein gave rise to one of the most dramatic moments by calling for the death penalty in special-circumstance cases such as killing a police officer. Her comments drew applause and, in many cases, a standing ovation in the cavernous sanctuary that was packed with several thousand people.
Feinstein also said she would carry on in Espinoza's memory her efforts to rid the nation's streets of assault weapons such as the AK-47 that mortally wounded him. "The only purpose of these weapons is to kill," she said.
Espinoza was killed while working as a plain-clothes officer in the Bayview District, a place where he repeatedly chose to work despite the risks that many speakers this morning pointed out. His partner that night was also wounded, and a young man alleged to have gang ties arrested the following day.
Espinoza's supervisor at Bayview Station, Capt. Rick Bruce, said it's hard to explain why police officers routinely walk toward danger instead of away from it. He said on the night in question, Espinoza knew the suspect was probably armed but approached him anyway.
"Why?" Bruce asked. "He would simply have responded, 'because it's my job."'
The captain said it now falls to others to make the Bayview, a low-income neighborhood that has seen a spike in street violence lately, a safer place. Bruce, like Espinoza, had asked to be sent to that part of the city during a reassignment earlier this year.
The mayor's remarks included thanks to the young man's surviving family members as well as all the police officers who try to make the city better. He promised ongoing to support to Espinoza's widow Renata and 3-year-old daughter Isabella, who were sitting at the front of the church. "San Francisco is a family and we are your family in this time of need," he said.
Although Newsom did not mention the capital-punishment issue during his brief address, the head of the Police Officers Association did. Gary Delagnes said Isaac Espinoza's spirit would be watching over his fellow officers as they head out to patrol city streets, even though his life is over. "May his killer also pay the ultimate price," Delagnes said to applause.
San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, who was recently elected on a platform that included a commitment not to seek capital punishment, has announced already that she plans to honor that pledge despite pressure to make an exception. She was present at the church today, but did not speak publicly.
Afterward, Harris spokeswoman Debbie Mesloh said her boss had considered many aspects of the case against David Hill, including the defendant's age of 21 and lack of an adult criminal record, before deciding to seek life without parole should he be convicted of first-degree murder.
"It was not a knee-jerk reaction," Mesloh said. "She's a career prosecutor. She's reviewed hundreds of homicide cases. She feels that she made the most appropriate charging decision."
Disgraceful
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- Slain San Francisco police Officer Isaac Espinoza Friday was recalled as someone who stood out for his spirit and dedication, even from his earliest days as a young recruit eight years ago.
"He was the kind of man any nation would be proud of," said police Chief Heather Fong, "the kind of man you trusted." She said she would long take inspiration from his smile and laugh, even though an "assassin's bullet" claimed the 29-year-old's life Saturday night.
His funeral at St. Mary's Cathedral, attended by dozens of family members including Espinoza's widow and tiny daughter, was marked by a somber display: Rows and rows of law enforcement officers from around the state saluted, a bagpipe brigade played, helicopters flew overhead and the city's mounted horse patrol stood silently by.
Surrounding streets were shut down so mourners could pass through in peace, and dignitaries present included not only Mayor Gavin Newsom but U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Attorney General Bill Lockyer in addition to former San Francisco Police Chiefs Fred Lau and Frank Jordan and city Supervisors Tom Ammiano and Jake McGoldrick.
At today's ceremony, Senator Feinstein gave rise to one of the most dramatic moments by calling for the death penalty in special-circumstance cases such as killing a police officer. Her comments drew applause and, in many cases, a standing ovation in the cavernous sanctuary that was packed with several thousand people.
Feinstein also said she would carry on in Espinoza's memory her efforts to rid the nation's streets of assault weapons such as the AK-47 that mortally wounded him. "The only purpose of these weapons is to kill," she said.
Espinoza was killed while working as a plain-clothes officer in the Bayview District, a place where he repeatedly chose to work despite the risks that many speakers this morning pointed out. His partner that night was also wounded, and a young man alleged to have gang ties arrested the following day.
Espinoza's supervisor at Bayview Station, Capt. Rick Bruce, said it's hard to explain why police officers routinely walk toward danger instead of away from it. He said on the night in question, Espinoza knew the suspect was probably armed but approached him anyway.
"Why?" Bruce asked. "He would simply have responded, 'because it's my job."'
The captain said it now falls to others to make the Bayview, a low-income neighborhood that has seen a spike in street violence lately, a safer place. Bruce, like Espinoza, had asked to be sent to that part of the city during a reassignment earlier this year.
The mayor's remarks included thanks to the young man's surviving family members as well as all the police officers who try to make the city better. He promised ongoing to support to Espinoza's widow Renata and 3-year-old daughter Isabella, who were sitting at the front of the church. "San Francisco is a family and we are your family in this time of need," he said.
Although Newsom did not mention the capital-punishment issue during his brief address, the head of the Police Officers Association did. Gary Delagnes said Isaac Espinoza's spirit would be watching over his fellow officers as they head out to patrol city streets, even though his life is over. "May his killer also pay the ultimate price," Delagnes said to applause.
San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, who was recently elected on a platform that included a commitment not to seek capital punishment, has announced already that she plans to honor that pledge despite pressure to make an exception. She was present at the church today, but did not speak publicly.
Afterward, Harris spokeswoman Debbie Mesloh said her boss had considered many aspects of the case against David Hill, including the defendant's age of 21 and lack of an adult criminal record, before deciding to seek life without parole should he be convicted of first-degree murder.
"It was not a knee-jerk reaction," Mesloh said. "She's a career prosecutor. She's reviewed hundreds of homicide cases. She feels that she made the most appropriate charging decision."
Disgraceful
