Honoring the fallen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Security Forces Squadron concluded the National Police Week 2011 celebration, a time to recognize the efforts of all law enforcement professionals, with a remembrance ceremony at the Pride Hangar on Ellsworth Air Force Base, May 20.

The ceremony honored law enforcement officers across the country who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"This has been an opportunity for us to come together and honor our law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty," said Maj. Steven Ohlmeyer, 28th SFS commander. "The entire week has been great. It's given us a chance to show the local community what we do, and show our pride in our heritage and accomplishments."

Throughout the week, the 28th SFS partnered with local police to demonstrate the importance of law enforcement, both on-and off-base communities, through a variety of displays and activities. The events and camaraderie surrounding Police Week closed out with a poignant reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by law enforcement officers, culminating with the "Proclamation for National Police Week 2011."

The proclamation stated that while approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers serve throughout the United States, roughly 6,000 assaults against those officers are reported each year - resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries. In 2010, 153 officers were killed in the line of duty, adding to more than 19,000 deaths since the first recorded death of a law enforcement officer in 1791.

"In honor of the brave sacrifices of these men and women, the 28th Bomb Wing has designated May 15 through 21 as Police Week at Ellsworth Air Force Base," said Major Ohlmeyer. "We pause during this week to salute the service of the Black Hills law enforcement officers in our community and in communities across the nation."

In a solemn presentation, two Airmen from the 28th SFS read the "Roll Call of Honor", including the names of every fallen officer from May 2010 through May 2011. The roll call held personal significance for Box Elder Police Chief Timothy Ryan, Box Elder, S.D., who lost a friend and fellow officer.

"Paxton, Mass. Police Chief Robert Mortell and I went to school together at Anna Maria College," he said. "In February 1994, Chief Mortell, who was off duty at the time, heard requests for back up by his officers who were trying to apprehend a robbery suspect. He was shot and killed while attempting to help with the apprehension."

Chief Ryan said he hoped members of the local community would use this weeklong celebration to quietly thank all the officers who have given their lives in the performance of their duties, those who have been permanently disabled or hospitalized from actions while serving their community, and those officers currently on active duty in the military serving throughout the world. He wished them all a safe return.

"An unknown author once wrote, 'Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal,'" he said. "For our profession, no truer words were ever written, for while these officers are forever missing from our ranks, the love they shared with their families, the dedication to the job they shared with their co-workers and the ultimate sacrifice they made for their towns, cities, state or country will never be forgotten."

The event finished with the rendering of honors to those killed, including the playing of Taps, ant the retirement of colors by the base Honor Guard.

The names of members of the law enforcement community killed in the line of duty between May 2010 and May 2011 and honored during the ceremony can be accessed by clicking here.