American flags and flags in support of law enforcement were displayed on overpasses throughout Clark County for Donald Sahota’s memorial procession
Amanda Wehling brought her daughters Sadie and Sophie to the Exit 14 overpass on Interstate 5, to get a view of the procession.
Hundreds of vehicles — motorcycles, cars, SUVs, trucks — passing by in one lane, a scene that stretched beyond that the eyes could see on the freeway, all in honor of Vancouver police officer Donald Sahota.
“We’re here to show our support to law enforcement and their families,” Amanda said.
She also wanted to show support for her 8-year-old daughter. Sadie wants to become a police officer. It is a dangerous job, but Sadie said she wants to serve one day.
“I think it’s important for us to remember the men who put their lives on the line,” said Cole Larson.
He brought his 4-year-old son Landon to the overpass, to show their support for law enforcement. Cole said he wants to teach his son at a young age the importance of showing respect.
Fire trucks parked on the overpass as well, with their lights flashing, and dozens showed up with flags. This was a scene at many overpasses as the procession made its way north from I-205 to I-5 and to ilani in Ridgefield for the memorial service. Sahota died late last month.
“Support our fallen heroes,” said Taua, who did not want to give his last name. “They sacrifice themselves … for our safety.”
“I’m here for the families,” said Flo, who also did not want to give her last name. “I feel compassion for what they must go through every single day. It’s devastating when one of the officers dies.”
Don Stose, the former mayor of Ridgefield, also stood tall at the overpass.
“I am here because I’ve always supported first responders. No one does that enough. I think it’s important to, anyway we possibly can, support our first responders,” he said.
“I enjoyed working with the Ridgefield Police Department. We have one of the finest departments in Southwest Washington. Anything we could do, throughout the years, to help them be successful … we tried to do that.”
Stose said he was proud to see so many people on the overpass. He called it a sad day, but also a show of a tremendous amount of support for law enforcement.
And he is not surprised, not from his community.
“When other communities were talking about defunding the police department, not Ridgefield. We were talking about total support, how we could be better citizens to help our police department, our first responders, with everything that they do,” Stose said.
Tuesday, the Ridgefield community, and communities throughout Southwest Washington, took time to pause and reflect, in a show of support for Donald Sahota.
Also read:
Memorial Service for Officer Donald Sahota will be available via livestream
Donald Sahota: Police officer was a man of integrity, professionalism
