Fallen officers honored on Peace Officers Memorial Day
A solemn ceremony Thursday marked the local observance of national Peace Officers Memorial Day outside the Crawford County Courthouse in Meadville. More than 20 officers from Conneaut Lake, Cochranton, Meadville, West Mead Township, Cambridge Springs and Crawford County Sheriff's Office, as well as Pennsylvania State Police and other state agencies, were on hand.
In the 12 months that have passed since the May 2024 local observance, 115 officers across the nation lost their lives in the line of duty, according to Crawford County District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo, who served as the keynote speaker at the midday observance.
Two Pennsylvania officers were killed in the line of duty in the past 12 months, she noted.
Officer Jamie Roman of Philadelphia Police Department was shot June 22, 2024, during a traffic stop. He succumbed to his injuries Sept. 10. Patrolman Andrew Duarte of West York Borough Police was shot and killed when he responded to an active shooter call at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York on Feb. 22 this year.
'We are currently living in a world where many people have a disregard, even a hatred for and a negative view of, law enforcement,' DiGiacomo said. 'They disregard and oppose law and order. They want chaos for their own benefit.
'But, history has taught us that peace comes with strong and good law enforcement and history has taught us that chaos and terror comes with weak and impotent law enforcement,' she said.
Crawford County is blessed to have good strong municipal police departments throughout it, including school officers as well as state police and various state agency officers and federal officers.
'They go to work every day knowing that they could be an Officer Roman or Duarte — and they still go,' DiGiacomo said.
Officers face all types of situations that can place them in harm's way as they work to protect the public, she continued. Their role as protectors also means protecting the rights of the accused under the Constitution.
While officers deal with criminals and dangerous situations, they often are the first point of contact for many people in need of some type of aid, according to the district attorney.
'They also go in to check on people who are troubled, who are overdosing on drugs, who are abused and neglected, be it young and old,' she said. 'They help those afflicted with mental illness when there is no one else there to help them.
'I think I say this every year, but I hope to convey to all law enforcement officers out there that we respect, love and trust you. And we pray that God will protect and bless you.'
Chief Tad Acker of Cambridge Springs Police Department, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 108, also briefly spoke of Rod Wise's lengthy career in law enforcement in Crawford County.
Wise, 70, who as an active-duty sergeant with West Mead Township Police Department, passed away March 20 at home.
'He had 52 years as an officer,' Acker said. 'His desire to do law enforcement was like no other.'
Wise had served with Conneaut Lake Park, Meadville, Crawford County Sheriff's and West Mead Township departments.
'His dedication to our county and law enforcement community will never be forgotten,' Acker said.
The chief reminded those assembled that there's no greater sacrifice than laying down one's life for others.
'We should never forget those that we've lost,' Acker said. 'We can honor their memories by committing ourselves to performing our jobs professionally and courageously.'
Thursday's local ceremony was part of an observance of National Police Week. Locally, a police memorial service has been held in Crawford County since the 1980s.
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