Troopers’ sacrifices honored in ceremonies across U.S.

“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.” These words coined by a line-of-duty survivor are inscribed on the Law Enforcement Memorial wall, memorializing those who have made the supreme sacrifice.

AAST was honored to join with Concerns of Police Survivors to sponsor a Survivor Breakfast in conjunction with National Police Week in Washington, D.C., in May. The names of 133 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2008 were added this year to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

The New York State Police Pipe Band marches during the May 11 memorial service at the NYSP Academy.

The Kansas Highway Patrol Honor Guard participates in the state’s memorial ceremony June 5 at the memorial monument on the Capitol grounds. Kansas was fortunate in 2008 to lose no officers in the line of duty.

State police and highway patrol agencies across the country also observed National Police Week with ceremonies to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Most ceremonies consist of similar components: The playing of Taps, a 21-gun salute, the reading of memorial names, and a fly-over by a solo helicopter. The mood is somber, and often a bagpipe-rendition of Amazing Grace echoes through the crowd.

Louisiana State Police Honor Guard members Sr. Tpr. Chris Anderson, left,
and Lt. Mark Richards present honors at the memorial pillar of Tpr. Hung Le,
who was killed in the line of duty in 1998.

“This ceremony is one of the most important events we do as a DPS family,” said Col. Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police superintendent. “We have a moral obligation to honor the service and families of officers who have died while serving our state. We must never forget those sacrifices. The families left behind should always be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Col. Mike Walker of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, left, and Commissioner Dave Mitchell of the Department of Safety lay a wreath at a May memorial ceremony at Tennessee Department of Safety headquarters.

Col. J. Christopher Murphy, director of the Alabama DPS, addresses survivors of officers killed in the line of duty during a memorial service. The monument in the background is on the south lawn of the Capitol and was dedicated in 1974 to Alabama law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

For many years AAST has proudly been involved in police memorial services in Nashville at Tennessee Highway Patrol headquarters by providing a wreath which is placed by the DPS commissioner and the THP colonel during the memorial ceremony.

“It is a privilege for AAST to play a role in this moving ceremony each year that pays homage to those who have selflessly given their lives serving our state,” said AAST Tennessee State Director Bob Yoakum, who retired as a THP lieutenant in 1995.

Colors are posted at the dedication of the new Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial, with Nebraska State Patrol superintendent Col. Bryan Tuma, far right, and Nebraska governor Dave Heineman in attendance.

NYSP superintendent Harry J. Corbitt, left, and 1/Sgt. Raymond E. Saunders, Jr. of the NYSP Academy lay a wreath during the May 11 ceremony.

We have a moral obligation to honor the service and families
of officers who have died while serving our state.
-Col. Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police

The Rhode Island State Police held its 19th annual memorial ceremony on May 14 to honor those troopers and civilian employees who have proudly served the state.

Members of the Alabama Highway Patrol salute during the Police Memorial service held at the state Capitol in Montgomery.

An average 150 police officers are killed across the country in the line of duty each year. AAST pays tribute to the 15 state troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2008 while upholding their commitment to serve and to protect:

Arizona DPS	Bruce Harrolle
Arkansas State Police	Richard LeBow
California Hwy. Patrol	Joseph Sanders
Indiana State Police	Daniel R. Barrett
Maryland State Police	Mickey Lippy     Stephen Bunker
Montana Hwy. Patrol	Evan Schneider
Nevada DPS	Kara Kelly-Borgognone
New Mexico State Police	Michael Avilucea
New York State Police	Shawn Snow
North Carolina Hwy. Patrol	Andrew Stocks     David Blanton, Jr.
Oregon State Police	William Hakim
South Carolina Hwy. Patrol	James Haynes
Texas DPS	James S. Burns

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