2 Palm Springs officers' deaths hits home for local law enforcement

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KTVU) - The deaths of two Palm Springs police officers are hitting home for local law enforcement - particularly in Santa Cruz where the police department lost two of their own a few years ago.

One officer is speaking out about the tragedy and offering condolences to the families and officers involved.

Outside of Santa Cruz Police Department sits a beautiful garden memorial created in 2013 after two officers were killed in the line of duty as a place where officers can remember their lives and their sacrifice.

The sight of the memorial has always held a special meaning in the hearts of Santa Cruz police.
It's a symbol of honor for their brother and sister in blue, who were killed in the line of duty.

"They were doing some follow up on a case and sadly lost their lives doing a job they love and working for our community," said Officer Carly Cross.

The pain from the passing of their fellow officers can still be felt in this community today which is why news of two Palm Springs officers killed responding to a domestic call on Saturday, has hit so close to home.

"There's a small piece of you that crumbles every time an officer's life is taken," said Cross.

Officer Carly Cross has been patrolling the streets of Santa Cruz for four years.
This time last year she returned to her duties as a new mother.
When she heard about the death of officer Lesley Zerebny in Palm Springs, she says she was heartbroken.
Zerebny recently returned to work from maternity leave and leaves behind a 4-month-old daughter who will never get to grow up with her mother.

"I have a routine where at the end of the night when I'm driving home I say a little prayer and I thank god for delivering me safely home to my family at the end of the day," said Cross.

Officer Cross says her prayers will now extend to the families mourning in Palm Springs and shared a message for them.

"We are grieving along side of you and know the pain that you are feeling and the Santa Cruz pd are here for you and please have the police officers association reach out to us," said Cross.

Members of the Santa Cruz Police Department say they plan to attend the funeral for the officers in Palm Springs on Tuesday.