Paul M. Anderson
GLENDALE -- When Glendale Police Lt. Don Meredith went out to see the
new signs on the Ventura Freeway memorializing slain Officer Charles
Lazzaretto it brought a tear to his eye.
"He was a good friend," Meredith said. "He was a super nice guy who
always had a smile and something nice to say."
Assemblyman Scott Wildman pushed through legislation last year that
renamed a stretch of the Ventura Freeway from the Glendale Freeway to the
Golden State Freeway after Lazzaretto who was killed in the line of duty
in 1997.
Two signs were put up on the freeway to recognize the honorary name.
One faces west on the Ventura Freeway under the Glendale Freeway overpass
and the other sign faces east under the Golden State Freeway overpass on
the Ventura Freeway.
Glendale Police Chief Russell Siverling said the signs will serve as a
permanent reminder of the officer.
"This will go a long way toward teaching future generations what it
means to make the ultimate sacrifice," Siverling said.
Residents and police officers collected small donations all over
Glendale totaling $3,500 to pay for the signs, Wildman said. Hoover High
School students raised $700 on their own, he added.
"I think he would be honored that the community has shown such
tremendous love after his death," Meredith said.
Wildman plans to hold an official ceremony for the new freeway
designation after the March 7 primary.
"I don't want to confuse the importance of this with election-year
posturing," Wildman said. "This is such an important issue it shouldn't
be subject to any criticism about political motives."
