LAKE COUNTY – Flags at California Highway Patrol offices throughout the state were flown at half-staff on Thursday and will be at half-staff again on Friday in honor of officers killed in the line of duty.

The families of three CHP officers were joined Thursday by Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner and CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow to place a wreath at the CHP Academy’s Memorial Fountain.

"The officers who have fallen upheld tradition in such a way that we can all be proud," said Secretary Bonner. "The prayers and gratitude of Californians are with the families of all of the brave officers we honor here today."

The CHP Academy Memorial Fountain bears plaques engraved with the names of each of the Department’s 213 officers killed in the line of duty since its formation 79 years ago.

This year, the names of the following three CHP officers were added to the fountain:

• Officer Robert F. Dickey who was killed June 10, 2007, in an automobile collision on I-8 while on patrol in Imperial County. Officer Dickey was a five-year veteran and worked out of the CHP’s Winterhaven Area office. He is survived by his wife and son.

• Officer Douglas S. Russell who was struck and killed while deploying a spike strip to stop a vehicle involved in a pursuit on Highway 50, July 31, 2007. The 22-year veteran worked out of the CHP’s Placerville Area office and is survived by his wife.

• Officer John Miller who was killed in an automobile collision Nov. 16, 2007, while searching for a reported drunk driver. Officer Miller had served with the CHP for one year and was assigned to the Dublin Area office. He is survived by his wife and two children.

"We live under the protection of brave men and women who risk their lives every day in an effort to make California one of the safest states in the country," Commissioner Farrow said.

Flags at CHP offices throughout the state also will be flown at half-staff from May 11 through May 17 in observance of National Police Week.

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