As prepared
We are here today to honor those who have been killed in the line of duty.
We are here not only to honor those from Montgomery County. We are part of a larger cause.
Our Annual Fallen Heroes Memorial Service coincides each year with similar activities throughout the country during National Police Week.
Since the founding of the Montgomery County Police Department in 1922, there have been 18 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Tragically, many of the officers who will be named today were killed in automobile collisions. We should take note of these circumstances and recognize that danger presents itself in many forms.
With that in mind, we honor the most recent of our fallen heroes, Officer Noah A. Leotta who was killed in the line of duty on December 10, 2015, after being struck by a drunk driver.
At the time, he was working to take drunk drivers off the road.
Since his death, and in large part because of it, the state legislature has passed tougher laws to crack down on drunk driving.
Ceremonies such as the one in which we are participating today honor not only our fallen heroes but also the families and friends of all those who have made this supreme sacrifice.
We are currently enjoying prosperity and low crime rates. We can't rest on our success or become complacent.
The demands upon Law Enforcement and all of us in Public Service remain high.
Our police officers are expected to perform our duties fairly and with impartiality.
To respect the rights of others while ensuring our own safety. Sometimes this is a difficult and misunderstood process.
In honoring those who have gone before us, we also show our support for those who are still serving, whether in law enforcement or our military.
Will those of you serving in our uniformed services or in the military please stand?
It is our hope and sincere prayer that the "Roll Call of Fallen Heroes" that will be read later in the program will forever be remembered but not added to.
We also recognize the Line-of-Duty Deaths from MC Sheriff’s Office and MC Park Police. Both agencies have one line-of-duty death each. We will ask Sheriff Popkin and Park Chief DeVaul to light a candle in their honor.
Thank you.
Release ID: 16-014