Honoring the fallen: Marion County remembers deceased lawmen

President John F. Kennedy established Police Week and Police Officers Memorial Day via proclamation in 1962 to pay tribute to law enforcement officers around the United States who gave their lives in the line of duty.

During the course of the nation's history, some 23,918 law enforcement officers have been killed while serving their communities, according to statistics provided by Jim Fitsko, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Steve Young Memorial Lodge #24. Fitsko presided over the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service conducted last Thursday at the Marion County Law Enforcement Memorial in Marion Cemetery.

"It is important that we all know that number - 23,918," Fitsko said. "Twenty-three thousand nine hundred and eighteen fathers and mothers. Twenty-three thousand nine hundred and eighteen sons and daughters. Nine hundred and seven of the fallen are Ohioans. That tragic number tells a story. A story of sacrifice and a story of commitment to serving in the face of danger.

"That number proves that law enforcement officers have knowingly placed themselves in danger on behalf of the community they serve since the first American law enforcement officer was killed in the line of duty in 1786 in Virginia."

Rep. Tracy Richardson, R-Marysville, served as the keynote speaker for the memorial service, noting in her opening remarks that words cannot "adequately express our gratitude for the supreme sacrifices made for us" by law enforcement officers.

"We come to honor the fallen and to give thanks for their service," Richardson said. "We honor their selflessness and the dedication they demonstrated to protect us despite the personal cost. Too often we forget to pause and remember but today we enshrine their sacrifice and remember with gratitude their ultimate gift to us. They gave their lives to ensure the safety of ours. I can think of no greater honor."

Richardson shared a poem entitled "The Monument," which was penned by Sgt. George Hahn, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Marion Post Commander Lt. Lance Shearer, Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles, and Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald laid the wreath at the memorial to honor the memory of the local officers, deputies, and troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Deputy Kevin Davidson from the Marion County Sheriff's Office and vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Steve Young Memorial Lodge #24 read the "roll call of heroes" listing the five Marion County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Patrolman Jerome Hotstetter from the Marion Police Department was the first local law enforcement officer killed while on duty. He was shot to death in 1910.

Three local law enforcement officers died from injuries they suffered in traffic crashes: Capt. Edward Masterson of the Marion Police Department in 1922, Deputy William Bender from the Marion County Sheriff's Office in 1973, and Trooper William "Randy" Bender from the Ohio Highway Patrol in 1982.

Deputy Brandy Winfield of the Marion County Sheriff's Office was shot and killed in the line of duty on Oct. 14, 2004.

The Marion Correctional Institution Color Guard posted and retrieved the colors during the ceremony. The Marion United Veterans Council served as the honor guard for the ceremony.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Honoring the fallen: Marion County remembers deceased lawmen