Members of law enforcement and the local community gathered on Wednesday afternoon outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte to remember officers nationwide who died in the line of duty and to recognize the efforts of police.
The annual Centre County Peace Officers Memorial was held in conjunction with National Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week.
“Today’s ceremony reminds us that each and every day law enforcement personnel respond to calls in their community they so proudly serve,” Ferguson Township Police Chief John Petrick said in his opening remarks. “It reminds us that at any moment the duty to serve might end because of the actions of others. Today we honor and remember those who have responded to their last call. These heroes will never return to their families, friends, co-workers and loved ones. Life is both precious and fragile. May each fallen hero’s memory be eternal.”
Following the singing of the national anthem by Meg Brower, Pastor William Osman of St. John Lutheran Church in Bellefonte delivered an invocation that recognized the sacrifice of those who died in the line of duty.
“Today we remember and honor those who have not only laid down their lives for their friends, but who have fulfilled the ultimate calling to protect and serve by laying down their lives for their community and its citizens,” Osman said.
Nationwide, 226 federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2022, according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. That number includes five state and local police officers in Pennsylvania.
State Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, noted in his keynote remarks that three Pennsylvania officers have died on the job to date in 2023.
“These officers represent the very best of our commonwealth,” Langerholc said. “Their sacrifice reflects their commitment to serve and protect us. Let us never forget their bravery and dedication to our commonwealth.”
Generations of law enforcement officers have faced “vastly different circumstances,” Langerholc said, but the oath to protect and serve has remained constant.
“It is you who run in when others run out. It is you who are prepared at a moment’s notice to lay down your lives for others, all in the name of safety,” he said.
Centre County commissioners also declared May 15-21 as this year’s Police Week in Centre County and May 17 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
“It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices of their law enforcement agencies, and that members of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and protecting the innocent against deception, and the weak against oppression,” Commissioner Steve Dershem said in reading a portion of the proclamation.
Representatives from 10 Centre County law enforcement agencies read the names of each of the officers who died in the line of duty in 2022. The names included state police troopers Martin Francis Mack III and Branden Sisca, Lebanon City police lieutenant William Lebo, Warrington Township police officer Stephen Plum Jr. and Washington County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Chad Beattie.
The ceremony also included the presentation of a memorial wreath by representatives of the Centre County Emergency Communications Center and Penn State 9-1-1, a 21-gun salute by the Centre County Law Enforcement Rifle Team, the playing of “Taps” by State College police detective Nick Raia and the playing of “Amazing Grace” by bagpiper John MacMillen.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Honor Guard advanced and retired the colors.
“Let this remembrance of National Police Week serve to inspire awaken and reinvigorate all those in law enforcement and all those who will enter this most noble of professions,” Langerholc said. “Let our youth see the sacrifice made on their behalf, and let the ultimate sacrifices made by far too many never ever be in vain.”
