WHEREAS, Of all the promises that America offers none is more precious or illusive than the right to be free from crime and violence; and

WHEREAS, Californians are indebted every day to our peace officers, and we pay special tribute to their bravery and dedication and share in their pain when one of their members is killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, The men and women of law enforcement have the unenviable task of guaranteeing the public’s safety, and it is as difficult and dangerous as it is important, as evidenced by the death, at the age of 46, of Deputy Sheriff Stephen Sorensen of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who was killed in the line of duty on August 2, 2003, in Llano, while responding to a routine trespassing investigation on his “day off;” and

WHEREAS, Deputy Sorensen who was known as the “town sheriff” was the resident deputy for the Lake Los Angeles area and patrolled several sparsely populated communities at the edge of the Mojave Desert and he was the only full-time deputy responsible for 150 square miles; and

WHEREAS, He was a longtime Los Angeles resident and served 3 years in the United States Army as a military policeman; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Sorensen was renowned for working to better the community and for helping the people living there and performed his duty not for press or glory but for the betterment of his community; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize the hazardous work, serious responsibilities, and strong commitment that Deputy Sorensen willingly accepted during his 12 years as a law enforcement officer; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Stephen Sorensen is remembered as a dedicated father to his son, Matthew, a loving husband to his wife, Christine, and a man who committed his life and his career to Lake Los Angeles and the safety of his neighbors; now, therefore, be it