Bill Bean Jr. remembered as local hero

Monday marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Sacramento Police Officer William Bean Jr. The 28-year-old officer was slain during a traffic stop on Feb. 9, 1999 in Del Paso Heights.For those closest to the Colfax High School graduate, the passage of time hasn't eased the pain. Still, they are committed to honoring the man who crammed a lifetime into 28 years.Bean grew up in Grass Valley and Colfax. He maintained a 4.0 GPA at Colfax High and served as student body president. In addition to being named salutatorian, Bean received numerous awards, including the Army Reserve National Scholarship and the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. He was on the Falcons' football team when they claimed All-Golden Empire League honors in 1988. The following year he was named to the Sacramento Optimist's All-Star football team.Following graduation, Bean attended West Point Military Academy for a year before returning home.He worked as a Placer County Sheriff's deputy for four years before joining the Sacramento force in April 1995.The year before he was killed, Bean had returned to Sierra College, earning a place on the college President's Honor Roll. He played on the Wolverines football team and earned all Bay-Valley conference honors. Everyone who paid tribute to him in the days following his death spoke of the light that would shine forever –– the light that was Bill Bean.Perhaps that's why those who knew him are working to keep his memory alive. Within days after his death, the William C. Bean Memorial Foundation was established."We give scholarships to Colfax, Del Oro, Grant, Sierra College and the Butte Police Academy," said his father, Bill Bean Sr. "We hope to expand from there."Funding comes from the annual Bean Memorial Golf Tourney, which is held the second Monday in June at the Ridge and Dark Horse golf courses.Nearly 288 players, primarily law enforcement officers, participate in the annual tournament. One of the Placer County Sheriff's Department helicopters, Eagle III, was renamed "Falcon 30," in honor of Bean's football jersey from Colfax High School.Sacramento Police Chief Arturo Venegas Jr. honorably retired Bean's badge No. 772. His name has been memorialized in Colfax and Sacramento. Highway 174 outside of Colfax was renamed for the fallen officer shortly after his death. A park in Sacramento and a street in Natomas have been named for him.Perhaps the most moving tribute, however, is the one given twice a year by Bean's younger brother.A teacher at Bear River High, Chris Bean shows his students a video tribute to his brother.The purpose of the presentation is not only to teach the teenagers to live each day to the fullest, but also to remind them to tell their family that they love them.Apparently the lesson is so powerful that students have left the classroom to go and hug a sibling in another room."I can't bring myself to watch it. Maybe some day," said Bean Sr. "I was fortunate. That's just what we did. Every time we met, we'd hug and kiss. It was no different on that last Friday." The days leading up to the Feb. 9 anniversary are particularly tough for Bean Sr.On Monday, he played golf at Black Oak, the course he and his son had played every week. Then he and a small group of friends gathered for a barbecue at his son's graveside in the Colfax Cemetery. "We were sitting sipping beers when we heard this noise. It was a full moon and the skies were clear," Bean said. "I saw 150, 200 white cranes flying over the cemetery. It was unbelievable. They were flying really low. There was a big, long line on the right side that seemed to stretch back into town."After hearing this story, I kept thinking about the cranes, the symbol of peace and protection in many cultures. I realized it was a moment that only those who happened to be outside would have experienced. More importantly, I felt it was a reminder to live well and treasure friends and family.