The olive branch is a symbol of peace
And as we take our rest
Stretch our legs enjoy the view
Idle from I-5 quest
We find a memorial marker
Explaining the Rest Area's name
Pause a moment and remember
In the midst of our waymarking game.
Peace for the voyager, Peace for the Peace Officer
Prayers to whisper through the olive grove
And a reminder for all of us: Be safe out there
Wherever our wanderings may rove....
Rest Stops up and down the I-5 in CA tend to bear names. In this nice place to stretch the legs, an oasis of green amid the gnarly olive trees, we also find a marker to Lt. John C. Helmick of the California Highway Patrol.
The marker -- brass set into a boulder, reads:
DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF
LT. JOHN C. HELMICK
RED BLUFF AREA COMMANDER
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER,
LOYAL FRIEND,
AND DEDICATED OFFICER
TO THE PEOPLE OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
IN OUR HEARTS
YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER
DEDICATED BY THE TEHAMA CO.
PEACE OFFICERS ASSOC.
Rest area info: (
visit link)
Officer down memorial page: (
visit link)
Lieutenant John C. Helmick
California Highway Patrol
California
End of Watch: Monday, February 27, 1989
Biographical Info
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 6960
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Monday, February 27, 1989
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Lieutenant Helmick was killed in an automobile accident when his department vehicle collided with state Department of Transportation vehicle. He was en route to speak at a luncheon for an area civic organization.
Lieutenant Helmick had been with the agency for 20 years.
additional memorium: (
visit link)