Hundreds of Oakland police officers honored four of their own who were killed in the line of duty March 21, 2009.
Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy; Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, of Danville; Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35, of Castro Valley; and Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord, were killed by an ex-felon wanted on a no-bail warrant following a routine traffic stop.
On Wednesday a bridge over-crossing was dedicated in the officers' honor with a sign that now stands alongside I-580.
On August 17, 2010, ACR 146 was voted into law in Sacramento to designate the Keller Avenue Bridge on I-580 as the Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sgt. Daniel Sakai and Officer John Hege Memorial Bridge.
Many family members of the fallen officers were on hand for the unveiling of the sign.
The relatives were escorted in Oakland police vehicles to the roadside sign. Officers stood at attention during the visit. Many of the family members were overcome with emotion when they show the sign and the officers paying respect to their loved ones.
Three years ago today, officers Dunakin and Hege were shot and killed by suspect Lovell Mixon during a routine Saturday afternoon traffic stop. Romans and Sakai were killed a couple of hours later when they stormed an apartment where the suspect was hiding. Other officers returned fire, killing Mixon.
“Oakland is the most dangerous city in California if you’re a police officer. We ask the citizens of Oakland to join us in honoring our fallen officers," Sgt. Barry Donelan, OPOA President said in a statement announcing Wednesday ceremony.
