{RIP CHP Officer Joseph Sanders}

2008 is almost over....another 16 days and it would have been one of the few years in CHP history that went by without the loss of an officer in the line of duty. However, on 15 December 2008 @ approximately 4:30am, Officer Joseph Sanders from the Santa Fe Springs office (Mike's first office) was struck and killed by a motorist on the 60 freeway while he was attending to another traffic accident. The wet roads and rainy conditions make every CHP wife nervous.

Officer Sanders is a Marine Corps vet who served in Iraq. He survived a war half a world away, only to leave this earthly life here at home. He is survived by his wife and three children, ages 7, 3 and 10 months. His wife is pregnant with their fourth child. Our hearts go out to this family, as we are reminded that this could so easily be any of us. And with the accident that Mike had on his birthday this year, it's just too much of a reminder for me how dangerous their job is, and how much the quote in the CHP Officer's Oath of "if necessary, lay down my life" means.....

Rest in Peace Officer Sanders......your fellow officers will take up where you left off.