Behind the Badge
When La Habra PD Sgt. Dan Barnes came up with the idea for a mural inside police headquarters, he envisioned an art piece that would detail the growth of the 91-year-old department along with its relationship with the city.
There needed to be elements unique to the department and to La Habra.
The approximately 8- by 20-foot mural, which captured Barnes’ vision to a T, was unveiled Wednesday, Dec. 21 in front of a gathering of past and present personnel, family members of officers and city officials.
Painted by Los Angeles artist Erik Alos, the mural juxtaposes La Habra Police Department’s past and present and adorns a wall along one of the station’s hallways.
La Habra Police Sgt. Dan Barnes shows the recently unveiled mural depicting the new and old police department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s one of my favorite ones,” Alos said. “I’ve done about 11 murals for law enforcement. I’d say this one and one other one are my favorites.”
On the right and painted in shades of black, white and grey are depictions of a late 1920s Ford Model A squad car alongside a Harley Davidson police motorcycle from the same era.
There’s an image of the LHPD station as it looked in the early days, a watchtower that was in place during the Cold War, the old city seal and a service revolver.
Images and symbols on the mural’s left side were painted in an array of colors and include a more modern LHPD Crown Victoria, the preferred squad car for most agencies, a K9, a late-model police motorcycle and a semi-automatic pistol, all elements of today’s agency.
“Being a small department, we wanted to make sure this was about those who served here — civilian and sworn,” Barnes said.
Police personnel and artist Erik Alos, left, were on hand for the unveiling of La Habra PD’s new mural Dec. 21.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The mural’s most prominent feature, and situated in the center, is a 4-foot high image of an LHPD badge with the number 273 at the bottom.
Virtually everyone associated with the LHPD knows badge no. 273 belonged to Officer Michael A. Osornio, the only La Habra police officer to die in the line of duty.
Osornio was 26 when a drunk driver broadsided his patrol car at the intersection of La Habra and Beach boulevards on Oct. 31, 1994. He had been on the job only 14 months.
Osornio’s sister and mother attended the unveiling.
“They never forget him,” said Maggie Osornio, Michael’s younger sister. “It’s just beautiful. We can’t replace him but at least he is never forgotten.”
Margarita “Maggie” Osornio, left, and Guadalupe Osornio, the sister and mother of La Habra Police Officer Michael A. Osornio, who died while on duty in 1994, stand next to La Habra’s new mural that features a badge with his number, 273, on it. Guadalupe Osornio brought her son’s badge to the ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Another symbolic element is a pair of playing cards, an ace and jack of spades, representing 21 in a blackjack hand.
LHPD’s station is classified by the county as Station 21.
The mural was paid for by sponsorships and donations made by current, former or retired department personnel and, in some instances, their relatives.
Current employees’ names, along with their badge numbers, are commingled with the names of those who have retired, died or moved on to other agencies. Together they bracket both sides of the mural.
Barnes said he got the idea for the mural about three years ago, when a friend from another agency was involved in a similar project.
Artist Erik Alos. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Alos was recommended and ultimately selected because of the artwork he had skillfully created for other departments.
The artist drove around the city to get a feel for its vibe and culture, made some sketches of possible options, and then collaborated with Barnes on determining the final selection.
Barnes felt it was important that the mural reflect the intimate connections LHPD has within its ranks and within the city.
“There is a little piece of history reflected in every aspect of our mural,” Barnes said, “and it serves as a visual reminder that every man and woman, who served as a part of La Habra Police Department’s development or its current progression, remains an integral part of its composition.”
Larry Benoit, a La Habra reserve officer who retired in 2014, photographs the names of his friends, and himself, that is part of the mural unveiled Dec. 21 at the La Habra Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
