Danville Police, Vermilion County Sheriff's deputies honor fallen officers
As part of National Police Week, the Danville Police Department and Vermilion County Sheriff's Department came together Wednesday, May 14, at Sunset Memorial Park, along with members of the public, to honor three DPD officers killed in the line of duty.
At the annual Police Memorial Service, members of the VCSD's Honor Guard presented the colors. Vickie McCarty, chaplain for the DPD, opened the memorial service with remarks about the importance of honoring officers and especially those killed in the line of duty.
'The real heroes of our communities are front-liners, and they wear badges, not capes. A simple thank you today just doesn't seem enough,' McCarty said.
'You are some of the bravest people in the world for your courage and your dedication to duty. Thank you for your example of sacrifice. Thank you for your determination. Thank you for your bravery and fortitude,' McCarty said. 'The difference you make makes all the difference.'
Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. read the names of three fallen officers being honored, including Patrolman August Lind, Officer David Farnsworth, and Sergeant Myron G. Deckard, as well as their 'end of watch' — the day they were killed.
Lind died April 10, 1908 of gunshot wounds he received a few days earlier when trying to stop a burglary. He served for 20 years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website.
Farnsworth died Jan. 27, 1976 while in the line of duty. After pulling over two brothers in a traffic stop, Farnsworth was beaten to death with his flashlight. He had previously served in the Vietnam War.
Deckard died Wednesday, June 6, 2001 while transporting a prisoner from Montgomery County to Vermilion County. The prisoner broke free and shot Deckard with his own handgun. He had served the VCSD for 32 years. Williams quoted a scripture from the Bible before thanking those officers present for their willingness to risk their lives in the line of duty.
'That's what you all have pledged to do, to go into dangerous situations with people that you don't know and take good care of them, to help people in their greatest hour of need. So for that, we honor you as we honor these men,' Williams said.
DPD Chief Christopher Yates and VCSD Sheriff Patrick Hartshorn later presented red, white, and blue wreaths for the fallen officers.
Though both groups have held individual memorial ceremonies for decades, 20 years ago they joined forces to honor their fallen together, Hartshorn said.
'Sunset built this space just for police and fire, so once it was built we came together and that's probably been 20-some years that we've been doing it together here at the memorial,' Hartshorn said.
After a rifle salute by the DPD's Honor Guard, and 'Taps,' played by an officer with VCSD, Todd Hitt played 'Amazing Grace' on bagpipes for a final reflection before the VCSD retired the colors.
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