Gov. Davis Honors Pittsburg Officer Killed on Duty

BY JULIANA BARBASSA
Associated Press Writer

PITTSBURG, Calif. (AP) Fellow police officers praised Raymond Giacomelli as a ``cop's cop'' during his funeral mass Monday, while family members remembered a loving outdoorsman.

``Twenty-three years ago, Ray came to the police department as a young recruit,'' said Pittsburg Police Chief Aaron Baker. ``He was a cop's cop because he wanted to make a difference, because he was fair, and because he never gave up.''

Giacomelli, 46, was shot to death last week soon after entering the house of an alleged parole violator. He was the first on-duty Pittsburg officer killed since 1935 in this bedroom community about 30 miles east of San Francisco.

His daughter Jessica remembered her father's stories, including one attempt to dissuade her from becoming an officer.

``He said it was too dangerous,'' Jessica Giacomelli told an overflow crowd.

Hundreds of police and sheriff department's officers from across the state stood in formation in the parking lot of the Good Shepherd Church during the midday service, their uniforms dripping with cold rain.

Other mourners huddled under umbrellas around the packed church and watched the service on a television.

State officials including Gov. Gray Davis also honored Giacomelli.

``In the name of 35 million people, I have come here to honor Ray Giacomelli for his bravery, service and his sacrifice,'' Davis said.

Others remembered Giacomelli as a family man who also loved hunting and camping.

``I remember him as a little kid swinging from ropes, falling out of trees, breaking bones being taken to the hospital and asking his big brother not to tell mom and dad,'' said Giacomelli's older brother Leo Giacomelli, choking back tears.

Officer Giacomelli was killed last Tuesday at the home of Earl Foster Jr., where he went as part of an investigation, police said.

Authorities believe Giacomelli was caught off guard and shot almost immediately upon entering. He had received the key to the residence from the suspect's father along with permission to search the house, police said.

Another inspector who was planning to meet Giacomelli found his body.

On Wednesday, police issued a national all-points bulletin for Foster, 40, who had an outstanding parole violation and then became wanted for questioning in Giacomelli's slaying.

Foster was killed Thursday in Modesto after exchanging gunfire with officers who approached him in a shopping center.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)