LAKEPORT — While most folks think of war veterans when they think of Memorial Day, the weekend also honors public safety officers lost in the line of duty.
Kicking off the Memorial Day weekend Friday, an ecumenical service at St. Mary”s Catholic Church in Lakeport honored the men and women who sacrificed lives in Lake County. About 50 citizens and peace officers attended the afternoon event.
Participants sang Amazing Grace and America the Beautiful. A Homily was given by Pastor Mike Suski, and Chief Kevin Burke of the Lakeport Police Department (LPD) and Chief Ken Wells of the Lakeport Fire Department gave speeches.
“I would like to acknowledge that last year was the deadliest (for public safety officers) in 30 years,” Burke said, “we have been fortunate here in Lake County,” he added, as there have been no lost peace officers” lives in eight years.
He and LPD staff members Lieutenant Brad Rasmussen, Sergeant Jason Ferguson, Detective Norm Taylor traveled to Washington, D.C. May 12 to participate in the National Peace Officers” Memorial Day ceremonies.
Burke said during the events there, the loudest applause came when families of the fallen clapped to honor those serving today. “It reminded me how much they sacrifice,” Burke said.
During the event at the United States Capitol, LPD staff had the honor to work with the Montgomery County Maryland Police Department to escort family members of fallen officers, Burke said.
He said it was emotional for him when he escorted the wife of one of the fallen and another LPD staff member held the hand of a little four-year-old boy whose father died in the line of duty.
The experience helped all realize, “that while there is sacrifice, we love what we do.”
Last year, 181 federal, state and local law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, one of the highest fatality figures in recent history.
Those who have died in Lake County while serving the public include the Sheriff of Lake County in 1910, George Kemp; Lake County Sheriff Department Deputy William Hoyt, 1967; Lake County Sheriff Department Sergeant Richard Helbush, 1981; Lakeshore Fire Department Michael Mattioda, 1984; Lakeport Fire Department Matthew Black, 2000.
The group bowed heads to pray for a safe year ahead, and gathered after the service for a Knights of Columbus barbeque and refreshments.
Additional information related to peace officers who have lost lives while on duty or for more information on National Police Week Memorial events, please visit the Officer Down Memorial Page, www.odmp.org; Fraternal Order of Police, www.grandlodgefop.org; or Concerns of Police Survivors, www.nationalcops.org.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
