CCI‑Tehachapi honors fallen Officer Reyes

California Correctional Institution (CCI) at Tehachapi commemorated the memory of fallen Correctional Officer Antonio Reyes during a special ceremony.

Facility B managers and supervisors organized the May 9 ceremony, inviting the Reyes family.

The ceremony included a speech from Facility B Capt. Mark Lopez. He thanked the Reyes family for allowing CCI to share him, and the impact he’s left on the institution.

Last call from Central Control

Central Control Sgt. Jacob Wells performed the last call, a final send-off from the institution’s radio: “For over eight years, Officer Reyes served with honor and exemplified the highest standards of duty and sacrifice. His courage never wavered, his integrity never faltered. Though his watch has ended, his legacy endures.”

Correctional Sgt. Kyle Mumby spoke with the Reyes family and presented stylized keys and a key ring.

“We run to danger with each other and for each other,” Mumby explained. “We do this without hesitation, putting our own fear aside to come to the aid of our partners.”

Mumby demonstrated what the keys sound like as they clink together.

“The sound of the keys rattling together signifies help is on the way,” he said.

Capt. Lopez told the family, help is available if they need it.

“If you need someone on the other side of the phone, to talk or to cry, ring those keys and know that Reyes’s partners are here for you,” Lopez said.

The ceremony ended with correctional officers hugging Reyes’s family and thanking them for allowing CCI to send their brother off and preserve his memory.

“A special thank you to Facility B supervisors, (bag pipe player) Mark Dudley, and the Reyes family. Your watch is over now, Officer Reyes. We’ll take it from here,” said organizers.

>> Read the original obituary.

Submitted by Lt. T. Harrison

Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.

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