Photo By Sgt. Jasmine Higgins | The Honor Guard from multiple law enforcement agencies collect their respective...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington. - As the bell rang out, amongst a tearful crowd, tribute to yet another officer that paid the ultimate sacrifice had been made, as families and friends coupled with military police and police officers from local agencies assembled together at Clover Park Technical College in Lakeview, Washington, May 5, for the Pierce County Law Enforcement Memorial.
The Pierce County Law Enforcement Memorial is an annual event held in the greater Tacoma area that recognizes local law authorities that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
“This event tonight was about officers who have been killed in the line of duty, as well as military police,” said Bob Sheehan, chief of DuPont Police. “It’s something that I have been doing for years -- every year going to this memorial.”
Soldiers from the 42nd Military Police Brigade were in attendance, giving their respects to their fallen comrades as well as those from the civilian law enforcement agencies.
“I appreciate the military being here, I really do,” said Sheehan. “There’s a great partnership, the city of DuPont and JBLM have worked closely together on many many things and have been very supportive, and so I appreciate that very much.”
During the ceremony, each agency paid tribute by taking to the stage one-by-one and saying the names of each of their respective fallen officers, and following each name, a bell was rung to symbolize their sacrifice.
“We have a lot of military policemen that have given their lives in service for their country – trying to bring peace and safety by policing communities in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Col. David Chase, commander, 42nd Military Police Brigade. “So you feel somber about it, but you do feel a kinship with the local law enforcement officers that have died trying to do the same thing here.”
The memorial was not only a way for patrons to honor those who have fallen, but it also served another purpose, by supporting those who are still putting the uniform on daily.
“The service reminds us of the fallen, but how do we keep the people that are still working safe,” said Sheehan. “So we go back in our thoughts and we try to use that as a training guide for the people that are still working, to make sure they don’t fall in harm’s way.”
The event allows police officers of all backgrounds and uniforms; local, state, and military, to unite and become one of the same for a night. Of those in attendance, many believe that the memorial is a time-honored custom that not only serves as a link between the different agencies, but as an overall great experience.
“We need to continue it – it’s a great partnership,” said Chase. “Great for the young Soldiers and leaders to come and see how other law enforcement officers honor their fallen. It’s a great tradition.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2015 18:12 |
| Story ID: | 163718 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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