VISALIA (KMJ) — Tulare County Sheriff’s Department have said goodbye to one of their own.
It was February 10th when Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Ballantyne was killed when the plane he was in crashed near Lake Success. After the funeral in Hanford on Saturday for pilot James Chavez, the second funeral was held Monday morning in Visalia.
His life was celebrated in front of a crowd of hundreds of law enforcement personnel, inside the First Assembly of God Church. Officers and Deputies from right across California were in attendance, including representatives from Amador County Sheriff’s Office, Los Angeles Police Department, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“He risked and gave his life for the safety of others”, said State Attorney General Kamala Harris. “They do so without any expectation of recognition or reward.
“Scott Ballantyne’s ultimate sacrifice shall always be remembered by a grateful state and her people”.
During the service, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies remained on guard at either side of the casket.
“We will honor him by healing and becoming stronger, and never forgetting this day”, said Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux. “Scott’s name will be placed on the local peace officer memorial as well as in Sacramento, and Washington DC. But we will do best by remembering him in honor by taking due diligence recognizing the significance of his sacrifice”.
Deputy Ballantyne was laid to rest in Visalia Cemetery.
