WHEREAS, Californians are indebted every day to our peace officers who have chosen law enforcement as a career and face extraordinary risk and danger in preserving our freedom and security, 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, Law enforcement professionals 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 of Officer Nicholas Vella, a 14-year veteran of the Huntington Beach Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty at 44 years of age on February 19, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure with the Huntington Beach Police Department, Officer Nicholas Vella exemplified the true character of the brave individuals who devote their time and energy to the perilous duties of law enforcement, and he was renowned among his fellow officers for loving, honoring, and being dedicated to his family, the uniform, and the law enforcement community, all of which were indelible and inseparable in his life; and

WHEREAS, We honor Officer Nicholas Vella, who made the ultimate sacrifice while performing his sworn duty, and pay tribute to him, a fallen hero, by recalling his devotion, celebrating his life, and honoring his service, and at the time of his death, Officer Nicholas Vella left to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his wife, Kristi, his daughter, Dylan, his parents, John and Marcella Vella, his brother, John Arthur Vella, many longtime friends, the law enforcement community, and a grateful public; now, therefore, be it