Child of fallen police officer draws strength from community
| Friday, Oct 30 2009 11:34 AM
Last Updated Friday, Oct 30 2009 11:37 AM
Go & Do
What: 27th Annual Bakersfield Police Memorial Run
When: Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Park at River Walk
Registration: 6:30 a.m.
Race: 8 a.m.
Cost: $20 fee before Nov. 3; $25 fee after Nov. 3
More: 326-3685 or www.bakersfieldpd.us
Why: Proceeds benefit the education of children of fallen officers.
Images
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian Amber Sikola Rodrigues holds her father, fallen B.P.D. officer William Sikola's badge. Amber was a 1-year-old when he died.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian A photo of Amber Sikola (Rodrigues) as a 1-year-old with her father B.P.D. officer William Sikola a few days before he died.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian Photos of Amber Sikola Rodrigues when she was a child with her father fallen B.P.D. officer William Sikola.
It was just a picture of a dad throwing his little girl in the air, laughing during a Monterey camping trip in July 1983. Little did Amber Sikola Rodrigues' family know within days her father would be gone and life as they knew it forever changed.
Amber's dad was Bakersfield Police Department motorcycle officer William Sikola, 27. Headed home on his police motorcycle right after midnight, he heard a radio call requesting assistance chasing a stolen car.
He quickly sped northbound on Highway 99 trying to head off the fleeing car. Just south of the 24th Street off-ramp, his motorcycle developed a high-speed wobble. Sikola lost control and crashed into the center divider. He died of massive head and chest injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
William Sikola was a fun-loving guy people gravitated toward. He grew up on Madison Street and attended South High School. People didn't know how to pronounce his name, according to Amber. "He would tell them it's like Pepsi Cola without the Pep ... so they started calling him Pep or Pepsi Cola," she said.
Sikola was an only child who loved wife Becky's close-knit family, which included seven brothers and sisters. Together, the two learned scuba diving and took their children Amber, Daniel and April camping. After the accident, the family continued summer camping trips complete with grandparents and the kids' Uncle John.
Under the best of circumstances, every parent is concerned about how to pay for their child's education. The three Sikola children were all under age 6 when their father died. Fortunately, proceeds from the Bakersfield Police Memorial Run helped them go to college.
This year's Bakersfield Police Memorial Run will be held Nov. 7 at Riverwalk Park. Amber, Daniel, April and mom Becky will be there.
"As far as I can remember, we've always been there," Amber said. "It's good to see people support officers. ... I enjoy the camaraderie that's out there."
Armed with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Cal State Bakersfield, Amber, now 27, is a social worker with the Department of Human Services. She focuses on older youth adoptions through the "Family Finding" program. There is a sparkle in her eyes when she talks about her work. "I love what I do...I love that I'm making a difference," she said.
The job requires months of digging: contact of adoptive parents; search of CPS records; Web site searches; letters. Many kids have been in foster care since they were 3 years old.
"It's really neat to find family when they thought no one was out there. ... It gives kids a sense of security," she said. Indeed, Amber was elated she had just found the uncle of a 16-year-old who will be moving to join him next week.
Amber and husband John have a 4-week-old baby, Ruth.
"It's unfortunate how fortunate I am to have such wonderful community support," Amber said. "It has gotten me through some hard times."
The 27th BPD Memorial Run will be Saturday, Nov. 7 at Riverwalk Park. Registration is at 6:30 a.m. For more information, call 326-3685 or go to www.bakersfieldpd.us.
