Mary Alice Reporting –
This week, Wednesday in particular, pays homage to the men and women who died in the line of duty.
Peace Officer Memorial Day is observed on May 15th and pays tribute to peace officers, nationally, statewide, and locally, who paid the ultimate sacrifice or who have been disabled while serving.
New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day asked council and the community to take a moment and remember that police officers put their lives on the line every day.
“I ask you to remember those men and women in blue who gave their lives in service to their communities, and also keep New Philadelphia’s Officers in your prayers.”
Immediate Past President of the Fraternal Order of Police Tuscora Lodge #4 Robert Everett says the recent Euclid officer death and, thanks to a bullet proof vest, a potential one in Columbus, increases the awareness of what this week represents.
“It is awful and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. We are saddened anytime a law enforcement officer is taken from us and obviously the families all come together, not only the immediate but the blue family as well.”
Everett encourages all, on Wednesday, to fly flags at half-staff and to also contact state representatives on a bill, still under consideration, that would make assaulting or murdering an officer a capital crime.
For Ohio, the 2024 Memorial Ceremony, at the Training Academy in London, was held at the beginning of the month and paid tribute to nine state law enforcement officers who died while working between 2020 and 2023.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, so far in 2024, 58 officers have lost their lives.
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