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HAYWARD — A weekend boxing competition began with an emotional salute to slain Davis police Officer Natalie Corona.
The colors were presented and the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities Boxing Academy presented a bouquet of white and blue flowers to the Corona family seated in the front row of the boxing ring during the opening ceremony.
Then, a sheriff’s office bagpiper and drummer, followed by an honor guard, began a solemn procession around the gym at Hayward Adult School Gymnasium in Hayward, with an estimated crowd of 300 to 400 spectators. Corona’s parents, Merced and Lupe Corona, wiped away tears.
After the presentation of colors, a bell was tolled to conclude the opening ceremony.
Corona, a 22-year-old Davis police officer, was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 10. Proceeds from the boxing event will be donated to a fund in Corona’s family and to support DSAL programs.
“I’m honored to be here, this is more than I expected,” said Merced Corona. “Being part of the show tonight in my daughter’s honor, I’m quite flattered by that and I do appreciate all their efforts,” he added before the start of the opening ceremony.
“A magnolia tree will be donated and planted in Arbuckle, at Pierce High School where she (Natalie) attended,” said Robert Rodriguez, president of the USA Boxing Northern California Association. “We would like for people to gather around the tree, sit there and remember her.”
Arbuckle is in the northern Central Valley north of Sacramento.
“Natalie will be missed by her community, as an officer and as a good person she was,” Merced Corona said.
Twenty-two boxers fought on Friday night and the winners were scheduled to fight again on Saturday. A total of 32 bouts of three rounds were scheduled for the entire weekend.
The event also featured food, entertainment and children’s activities.
Founded in 2005, the nonprofit Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League includes employees of the sheriff’s office who work with local residents on programs to reduce crime and improve quality of life, including free boxing classes each week to 100 children and adults.
Peter Hegarty contributed to this report.
