Orange County, Calif., June 9, 2025 – In a powerful demonstration of honor, unity, and remembrance, six members of the Orange County Probation Department’s (OC Probation) Honor Guard traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in National Police Week. Having joined thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country, OC Probation commemorated those officers whose lives were cut short in the line of duty.

Honor Guard members Andres Mancilla, Mike Mullins, Frank Frias, Christopher Fox, Christina Armenta, and Kaylah Vu took part in a series of solemn and symbolic events throughout the week. Their journey to Washington, D.C. reflected the collective spirit of law enforcement professionals across the globe.

OC Probation’s Honor Guard participated in a ceremonial march to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. As rain began to pour, the OC Probation Honor Guard took part in a wreath-laying ceremony, a poignant tribute to the sacrifices of military service members who never returned home. Despite the weather, the OC Probation Honor Guard remained undeterred. Later that same day, they stood in formation to provide a cordon for the families of the 324 officers who died in the line of duty over the past year, offering a visible gesture of support as the families arrived for the National Police Week Candlelight Vigil. The names of the fallen were read aloud during the moving ceremony, illuminating the somber reality behind the badges.

The culminating event was the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, held on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol building. Thousands of officers and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects, including elected officials and senior members of the current, presidential administration. Vice President J.D. Vance served as the keynote speaker, offering remarks that emphasized the courage and selflessness of America’s law enforcement community.

OC Probation was also joined by Irvine Police Department, Corona Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at the event. In addition to the memorial, the Honor Guard members visited key landmarks of national significance, including the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. They were also given a rare opportunity to tour the White House, underscoring the respect and recognition afforded to law enforcement participants during the week.

In a culmination of the events of the week, the OC Probation Honor Guard stood watch at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, joining colleagues from the Missouri Department of Corrections. Their presence, like their actions throughout the week, was a quiet but powerful show of solidarity and remembrance.

“It was an emotional and humbling experience,” said Supervising Probation Officer Christopher Fox. “To stand alongside families and officers from all across the world, to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it’s something I’ll never forget.”

As the week closed, OC Probation honored its fallen with solemn tributes and renewed purpose. Their legacy lives on in every badge, every oath, and every act of service: “Never Forgotten and Always Honored”.