Page 8 - The Friday Flyer ● MAY 18, 2018

A-8 THE FRIDAY FLYER MAY 18, 2018
Canyon Laker honors fallen police officers

BY PAT VAN DYKE in Colorado, she glanced at a cross that They kayak, fish,
REPORTER, THE FRIDAY FLYER she had fashioned out of a picture frame swim, paddle board,
The Cayette family knows personally and knew how she would personally work out, play board
what a difference a “supportive village,” make a difference in the life of this games and ping pong.
such as Canyon Lake, can make in the grieving family. She created and sent a Because Melissa
life of a police officer and his or her cross frame specially designed for the homeschools her
family. Each day, as Officer Rodginald young wife and two children to give children, they are also
Cayette performs his duties for the Los them a sense of support and hope. able to take advantage
Angeles Police Department, he knows Out of that meaningful gesture, of the many museums
that a crisis can be only a moment away. “Cross Frames for Fallen Officers” was and historical sites
However, at that same time, he realizes conceived. in the Inland Empire PHOTO PROVIDED BY MELISSA CAYETTE
that he and his family are supported by Melissa knows that she had taken on along with nearby zoos
Canyon Lake citizens no matter what the a huge task. In 2017 alone, 125 police and amusement parks.
situation may be. officers died on duty, but this did not The family is very
Melissa Cayette, wife of Officer deter her efforts. As of this year, May enthusiastic regarding
Cayette, wanted to discover a way 1, Melissa has made 20 cross frames for taking part in many of Melissa and husband Rodginald Cayette, pose for a family pho-
to share this support with other first the families and departments in which the festivities that are to with their four children, Payton, Aspen, Bailee and Haeven.
responders and families at their time of the fallen officers had served. provided by the various
greatest need. For several years, Melissa had been groups in Canyon Lake. to reach out to the families of fallen
This past New Year’s Eve, as Melissa searching for a means to honor the They want to do it all. officers and their departments by gifting
was praying for a police officer’s family memories of those officers who had made But the element of Canyon Lake that each of them with one of her cross
the ultimate sacrifice, losing his they hold most dear is the support that
or her life while defending others. the community has given to them as a frames. While she has already made
Melissa shares her thoughts: “I family of a first responder. The life of and donated numerous cross frames, the
have been in prayer for a long a first responder is stressful; however, actual need is far from being met.
time about how to honor all of Officer Cayette has found Canyon Lake The number of officers who have
the men and women in blue who and its citizens to be a community that is fallen in the line of duty for this year
have died protecting our cities. It welcoming to police and a place where is well over 50. Realizing this, Melissa
was and is personal whenever an he can relax from the pressures of his is asking Canyon Lake residents to
officer dies. I know it could very position. consider donating used or new picture
well be our family. As a police The University of Buffalo recently frames to her project. Sizes preferred are
wife, you play that scenario over completed a study which discovered 8x10, 5x7, and 4x6 frames. The color or
and over again. You don’t dwell that officers over age 40 had a higher 10- material of the frame does not matter.
on it, but you do prepare for it.” year risk of a coronary event compared Anyone having frames that they would
The Cayette family moved to average national standards; 72 percent like to donate can contact Melissa at
to Canyon Lake two years ago. of female officers and 43 percent of male memerodge@yahoo.com.
They could have chosen to live officers had higher-than-recommended Personally, Melissa has seen this
anywhere within the Los Angeles cholesterol levels; and police officers as change her own life in positive ways.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MELISSA CAYETTE Canyon Lake because they rates and diastolic blood pressure. passion for the police has intensified
area, but they were drawn to a group had higher-than-average pulse “I am so proud of my husband and my
But in Canyon Lake, it’s different. over the past couple of years with all of
desired a place in which their
entire family could relax and feel “We love pointing out all the homes that the controversy surrounding police,” she
are lit up with blue lights,” said Melissa. said. “I found myself getting angry, hurt,
safe.
Along with their four children, “We want people to know how very and very protective. I decided to turn

Haeven, the Cayette family enjoy
Melissa is reaching out to her Canyon into a purpose which praises God for
Melissa Cayette holds one of the 20 cross frames Payton, Aspen, Bailee and much that means to us police families.” my pain, sadness and disappointment
the many amenities of Canyon Lake family to help her with this our heroes. With this, my cross frames
she made for the families of fallen officers. Lake and the surrounding areas. beneficial project. It is Melissa’s desire turned my tears into blessings.”
Price makes it to the

finish line in Baja race

Canyon Laker Sara Price made it to that dogged them to the end.
the finish line of her first Baja race last The two recorded an official finish
month as she and navigator Erica Sacks, with a time of 15 hours, 8 minutes and
also a Canyon Lake resident, opened 3.5 seconds and collected valuable
the SCORE International season with championship points toward Sara’s full-
a competitive charge on the rough and season SCORE International campaign.
challenging San Felipe 250. Sara said her debut race behind the PHOTO BY ATTAIN MEDIA
SCORE International sanctions a wheel in Mexico was a fantastic learning
series of desert races in Mexico on the experience.
Baja California Peninsula. The 2018 “Before our electrical problem, that Canyon Lakers Sara Price and Erica Sacks racing at the 2018 San Felipe 250.
season includes the 2018 San Felipe truck was so dialled I couldn’t believe
250, the Baja 500, the Tijuana Desert it,” said Sara. International season with Team RPM she went on to join Kawasaki as the
Challenge, and the Baja 1000. “King Shocks put in a lot of time with this season in Trophy Truck Spec, a first factory-supported female racer.
Driving an RPM Offroad Trophy us to develop our setup and I’ve never regulated class that showcases driver She began racing dirt bikes at the age
Truck Spec machine, Sara and Erica set looked forward to a whoops section like talent above all else. Class vehicles are of eight and collected 19 amateur titles
I did this weekend. Our truck soaked up equally matched, with rules specifying and medaled in Women’s Super X at the
a strong pace on their debut Mexican everything we threw at it and it handled engine, suspension and wheel and tire 2010 X Games. She holds the record
outing until an electrical issue emerged like a dream. I’m really excited for the size. Up next in the series is the Baja as the most winning female amateur to
Baja 500 next month.” 500, May 30 to June 3. Sara will also date.
The 315-mile San Felipe contest, add competition dates to her schedule as The fierce competitor also raced UTVs
started and ended on the Malecon beach opportunities arise. and, in 2013, campaigned the WORCS
in San Felipe on the Sea of Cortez, some In 2017, Sara’s calendar included a series. She moved on to the Lucas Oil
125 miles south of the U.S. border. The diverse array of events including a select Regional Series in 2015 to grab second
competition followed an intensive pre- series of off-road races for RPM Offroad place overall in the production side-by-
running session that saw Sara join her in Trophy Truck Spec class in the Best side championship. She finished the
RPM Offroad teammates to cover 650 In The Desert series, with a best finish Terracross Championship undefeated to
miles in her SuperATV Polaris RZR XP of sixth. She also won the Next Female take the women’s title that same year. In
1000. Hoonigan contest to earn a chance to 2016, Sara took on six races in Robby
“I’m so impressed with the UTV. drive a factory-backed Fiat Rally Car Gordon Stadium SUPER Truck Series
PHOTO BY ATTAIN MEDIA We drove 650 miles on the RZR on the in a pair of hill climbs, seizing second- and became the first woman ever to lead
roughest course there is,” she said. “And place result at the San Pedro Martir Hill laps in that championship.
When she isn’t racing, Sara works
even after all the abuse we put it through Climb in Mexico.
2016
as a stunt professional, performing on
Off-Road
the
at King of the Hammers earlier this year,
Named
Sara is set to race the full SCORE Sara’s racing career started on dirt and a precision driver for television and film.
Sara Price it still didn’t have any major issues.” Motorsports Hall of Fame Rising Star, motorcycles, and on four wheels and as