Services today for slain Fresno County deputy

Sheriff Margaret Mims will make an opening statement this morning at services for Fresno County sheriff’s deputy Joel Wahlenmaier.

The service, which starts at 10 a.m. at Peoples Church, 7172 N. Cedar Ave., in Fresno, will include a funeral procession and prayers from Chaplain Bill Hale of the Sheriff’s Office.

Wahlenmaier, 49, a Fresno resident and father of two, was one of two officers slain in a shootout Feb. 25 in Minkler.

A musical tribute will be presented by deputy Chris Curtice and Tony Quinn, followed by words of remembrance from deputies Joe Smith, Jared McCormick and Kent Jones, as well as Sgt. Arley Terrence.

Burial will take place after the service at Clovis District Cemetery. The procession route east from Peoples Church to the cemetery will mostly follow Herndon Avenue. The Highway 168 ramps to Herndon Avenue will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists are advised to use the onramps and offramps at Bullard and Fowler avenues.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office released a map of the procession: From Peoples Church, it will head east on Fir Avenue to Maple Avenue, south to Herndon Avenue, east to Peach Avenue, south to Sierra Avenue, east to Villa Avenue and north to the cemetery, located at the southwest corner of Villa and Herndon avenues.

Internment is scheduled for 2 p.m. Access to the cemetery will be limited.

According to the sheriff’s office, eastbound traffic along Herndon between Cedar and Villa will be closed to through traffic following the funeral service and until the last member of the procession has turned south on Peach. Closures will occur at other intersections.

There also will be a private reception at the Veterans Memorial Building in Clovis at 3 p.m.

Contributions to the Joel Wahlenmaier Family Memorial Fund can be sent in care of the Fresno Deputy Sheriff’s Association, 1360 Van Ness Ave., Fresno, CA 93721.

The Fresno Bee