Santa Cruz Thanks the People Who Helped Out After the Murder of Two Officers

In a moving ceremony that left few eyes dry, the Santa Cruz City Council and Police Department Tuesday night honored to the citizens, agencies, donors and community members who pitched in to help the city after the Feb. 26 murders of Sgt. Butch Baker and Officer Elizabeth Butler.

Among those given the key to the city were Sheriff Phil Wowak and his department for filling in and holding the city together after the murders. Wowak's team not only investigated the shooting deaths, but patrolled Santa Cruz while the city police took days off to recover from the tragedy.

"A madman tried to tear our community apart, and he failed," Mayor Hilary Bryant said. "These haven't been easy months, but they've been eased by the outpouring we've seen. For that we are grateful."

She and Chief Kevin Vogel handed out commendations and paid tribute for 90 minutes. 

San Jose Police also received a commendation and key, after the department's chief and 15 officers drove to Santa Cruz the next morning to offer support and donated $16,000 to help with the rental of the HP Pavilion for the funeral service in March.

The CHP was honored for protecting the city as well as arranging the procession to San Jose. 

Randy and Janet Krassow, of Santa Cruz Memorial took care of all of the funeral expenses. Kelly and Mark Sanchez, of Kelly's Bakery, brought food to the police station during the tragedy and have every day since. 

Some of the others include: Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance, Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, Boots Road, Spencer Critchley, Margaret and Steven Brodsky, California Pizza Kitchen, California Robbery Investigators Association, Calstar, Capitola Public Safety Community Service Fund, Community Printers, Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Kari Cosentino, Daly City Police Officers Association, Deputy Sheriffs Association, Santa Clara County, Downtown Association of Santa Cruz, Ronald and Janice Fish, Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association, Holy Eucharist Church, Marini's Candies, James McCloskey and Sandra Chung, Milpitas Police Association, Craig S. Moorhead, Marcella Moran, Palo Alto Medical Foundation-Sutter Health, Peace Officers Research Association, San Bernardino Police Association, Santa Clara County DA Investigators Association, Santa Clara Peace Officers Association, Santa Cruz Rotary, Santa Cruz Kiwanis Foundation, Matt Twisselmann, Woodstock's Pizza.

Also honored were Baskin & Grant, LLP, Bike Dojo, Erik's Deli, Joe's Pizza and Subs, William George Ow Family, PredPol, Rechnitz Charity Foundation, Santa Cruz Seaside Company, Stagnaro Bros. Seafood and Zoccoli's Deli.