Bill Text: CA SCR26 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Detective Raul Vasquez Gama Memorial Highway.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-07-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 86, Statutes of 2021. [SCR26 Detail]
Download: California-2021-SCR26-Chaptered.html
Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 26
CHAPTER 86
Relative to Detective Raul Vasquez Gama Memorial Highway.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
July 16, 2021.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 26, Gonzalez.
Detective Raul Vasquez Gama Memorial Highway.
This bill would designate a specified portion of Interstate 710 in the County of Los Angeles as the Detective Raul Vasquez Gama Memorial Highway. The measure would request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, erect those signs.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: YESBill Text
WHEREAS, Raul Vasquez Gama was born July 21, 1963, in Santa Monica, California; and
WHEREAS, Raul Vasquez Gama graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s academy on May 1, 1987, and began his career as a deputy with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department at the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station; and
WHEREAS, After a few years, Raul Vasquez Gama transferred to the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station, where he worked a variety of assignments, including patrol duty, crime impact team, and as a detective in the Detective Bureau; and
WHEREAS, While assigned to East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station, Raul Vasquez Gama became the team leader for the City of Cudahy where, as team leader, he introduced the “Meet a Deputy” program, a model of community policing now utilized by all Los Angeles County Sheriff stations to improve community relations; and
WHEREAS, His excellent leadership and detective skills motivated the deputies who served with him to provide service to the residents of the City of Cudahy that was “Second to None”; and
WHEREAS, Detective Gama served as a member of a five man team in the Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team (Cargo CATs), where he was partnered with long time friend Detective Gerardo Pachuca, who served with him at the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the Cargo CATs, Detective Gama was awarded a Medal of Valor in 2004 for rescuing four children and their parents after a runaway Union Pacific freight train crashed into the family’s home; and
WHEREAS, Detective Gama received more than 52 commendations in his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; and
WHEREAS, At 8:55 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, Detective Gama was working undercover monitoring a suspect near Oxnard Street and Rhodes Avenue in North Hollywood when a vehicle crashed into his parked surveillance van; and
WHEREAS, He was rushed to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he later succumbed to his injuries; and
WHEREAS, Detective Gama was killed on the 20th anniversary of his graduation from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s academy; and
WHEREAS, Detective Gama is survived by his wife Sandra, four children Monica, Crystal, Anita, and Marco Antonio, mother Ruth V. Gama, sister Hilda (Lance) Severson, and nieces Natalie Stone and Emily Severson; and
WHEREAS, Detective Gama is remembered as a wonderful husband, great father, loving son and brother, true friend, and exceptional Deputy Sheriff; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the life and service of Detective Raul Vasquez Gama by designating a portion of Interstate 710 from post mile 19.730 to post mile 24.466 in the County of Los Angeles as the Detective Raul Vasquez Gama Memorial Highway; and be it further
Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of appropriate signs, consistent with the signage requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.
