Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation hosts memorial for law enforcement officers

May 27—The Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation (KLEMF) and the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) hosted a memorial ceremony at the DOCJT to honor seven Kentucky law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

KLEMF was established in 1999 to raise funds to design and build a memorial for fallen law enforcement officers. The memorial was first dedicated in May 2000 and listed 295 officers. Later, the monument was redesigned with more space for names and relocated to the DOCJT.

Since the original dedication, a ceremony has been held every year.

Gov. Andy Beshear was the event's keynote speaker on Thursday.

"I remember hearing about the loss of each of these officers. Each heartbreaking," Beshear said. "Each time reminds us that these heroes are someone's child. Someone's dad or mom, somebody's brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles cousins. These are children of God that are loved by their communities."

Currently, there are 570 names on the memorial — including those added from 2021.

Recently, another death of a local occurred. Calloway County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy and former Kentucky State Police Sergeant Jody Cash passed away while serving the commonwealth. His name will be added next year.

Beshear mentioned he hopes there are very few other names that must be added next year.

"There is nothing we can do to bring these officers back but we can make sure we will never forget the 570 heroes named on this monument," Beshear said. "So on behalf of four and a half million Kentuckians, we depend on our law enforcement every day to keep us safe. Thank you. Thank you to all of you. Thank you for what you do every single day. Whether you feel it in every moment or not, this Commonwealth loves you. We appreciate you and we desperately need you. We will continue to lift you up in prayer today and every day."

Louisville Metro Police Lt. Andrew Rodman — brother of LMPD Officer Nick Rodman — spoke after Beshear. Officer Nick Rodman was killed in the line of duty in 2017 during a vehicle pursuit.

"I lost my brother, my hero, my sounding board when I needed advice. A first call when I needed help. Most of all, my best friend," Rodman said.

The brothers are from a long lineage of law enforcement, as their father worked as a corrections officer, and later a police officer, with the local police department and the local metro police department. Rodman described him as a "superhero."

"Watching our dad as we grew up, without a doubt, influenced us and the career paths we took," Rodman said. "We saw the honor and pride he and his friends had in their jobs."

Nick joined law enforcement after his brother had many "late night discussions."

"Anytime I went to the jail, or Nick went to the evidence room or to meet up and get to hang out or work and be able to share stories, lessons learned and information was by far one of the most memorable times of my career," Rodman said. "We went from playing cops and robbers as kids to doing it in real life and most importantly, getting to do it together."

Shortly after having his second child with his wife, Ashley, Nick was killed on a scene.

"I pick up my phone and I'd sit there lost trying to figure out who to call because Nick was always my person," Rodman said. "You never realize how much part of your life someone can be till they're no longer let me share with you."

This year's ceremony honored:

* Louisville Metro Police Officer Hassan F. Hassan, end of watch April 2, 2021. Officer Hassan suffered a fatal medical event shortly after responding to a shooting call.

* Breckinridge County Sheriff's Deputy Wagner L. Baskett, Jr., end of watch May 24, 2021. Baskett died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the illness in the line of duty.

* Georgetown Police Lt. Gary W. Crump, II, end of watch June 30, 2021. Crump suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after an extensive and tense interrogation following a months-long investigation.

* Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Brandon A. Shirley, end of watch Aug. 5, 2021. Shirley was shot and killed when he was ambushed while working a secondary employment assignment.

* Floyd County Sheriff's Deputy Oliver Little, end of watch Oct. 13, 2021. Little died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the illness in the line of duty.

* Graves County Deputy Jailer Robert T. Daniel, end of watch Dec. 10, 2021. Daniel was serving in a law enforcement capacity overseeing prisoners on work release at a Mayfield candle factory when he was killed by a tornado.

* Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary D. Cottongim, end of watch Dec. 18, 2021. Cottongim was struck and killed by an automobile as he attended to an abandoned vehicle on the side of I-64.

Additionally, five historical honorees will be added to the monument this year. They are:

* Metcalfe County Deputy Sheriff Albert J. Franklin, end of watch Nov. 11, 1913.

* Pikeville Police Officer Alonzo Robinson, end of watch May 16, 1929.

* Harlan County Sheriff's Deputy Isaac Pennington, end of watch April 16, 1933.

* Floyd County Sheriff's Deputy Marion Layne, end of watch Jan. 5, 1939.

* Campbell County Police Chief George T. Benz, end of watch Sept. 20, 1948.