Union County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, May 19, at Union County Courthouse.

May 16th, 2011

Chief Hill of the Plain City Police Department recently invited Joe and me to attend the Union County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, May 19 at 7 pm. Chief Hill is the featured speaker at the event, which will take place on the Union County Courthouse North Lawn, 221 West 5th Street in Marysville. The public is invited and encouraged to attend and remember those officers who have died while serving.

Chief Hill also sent us over the official invitation (you can click on it to enlarge it) and the press release, which I have included here, by Pamela K. Millhoan, the Communications Officer for the Marysville Division of Police.

For more information, you can contact Ms. Millhoan at pmillhoan@marysvilleohio.org or by calling 937-642-3900, VM 2015.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY

UNION COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL CEREMONY

“May 15^th is Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 15^th is National Police Week. Thursday, May 19^th at 7 p.m. Union County residents are invited to honor the memory of two local officers who died in the line of duty.

“The Union County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony is an annual tribute to those who serve. The site of the ceremony is at the statue which stands on the north lawn of the Union County Courthouse and Sheriff’s Office, a year-round reminder of the sacrifice some law enforcement officers have given.

“The lives of Sergeant Roger Beekman and Sheriff Harry Wolfe of the Union County Sheriff’s Office will be remembered at the ceremony. Sergeant Beekman gave his life in service on September 19, 1979 while responding to an alarm. Sheriff Wolfe was killed while he was investigating a burglar alarm on January 21, 1982.

“On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 53 hours. According to preliminary reports by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the state of Ohio is one of the top five states for law enforcement fatalities this year. As of April 25, 2011, five Ohio officers have given their lives in service.

“A news article published April 11 titled, “Why are more police officers getting killed?” Bob Orr of CBS News reported that 26 officers had been gunned down, which showed a 44 percent increase since the 18 shot and killed at the same point in 2010. Preliminary 2011 Fatality Statistics as of April 25, 2011, total fatalities have experienced a 27 percent increase since the same time last year.

“Chief James Hill of the Plain City Police Department is the featured speaker for the law enforcement memorial. Chief Hill graduated from the Central Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in July 1991, is a graduate of the 37^th Session of the Law Enforcement Foundations Police Executive Leadership College and the 237^th Session of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. He has served the Plain City Police Department for 18 years; first as a patrol officer, then in 1998 he was promoted to Sergeant. He became a Lieutenant in 2004, and has held the position of Chief since July, 2008.

“The musical performance will be the Jonathan Alder concert band, of Plain City.

“Officers from all area agencies will participate in the ceremony as a tribute to those who have given their lives, and to honor their dedication for service.

“The public is invited and encouraged to attend the memorial ceremony. May we honor the lives of peace officers killed in the line of duty and those who continue to protect and serve the community.

“Sources and for more information about National Police Week and National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Day: