Latest news with #PoliceMemorialWeek
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Youngstown police honor fallen officers with new grave markers
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — City police officer Joe Moran doesn't like seeing things fall through the cracks. He knows, sometimes, it can't be helped but when he noticed that the grave markers of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty were falling apart, he decided to do something about it. Moran, with help from Detective Sgt. Dave Sweeney and a civilian employee, Clerk Laura Cruickshank, spearheaded an effort to have new markers placed on the graves of all 12 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty — from 1891 with the death of Patrolman William Freed to 2003 and the death of Patrolman Michael Hartzell. The 12 markers are spread across six local cemeteries — Belmont Park, Calvary, and Oak Hill in Youngstown; Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown; Lake Park in Boardman; and Hubbard Union Cemetery. Lt. Frank Rutherford, who is in charge of the dayshift for the Patrol Division, first alerted Moran to the condition of the markers. Moran, who has been an officer for 25 years and now patrols an East Side beat on dayshift, said one of the markers was found at a flea market. When looking for something to replace them that would be more permanent and would stand up to the elements for a long time, he turned to Chip Kovach of City Machine Technologies, a manufacturing business based in the city. The markers made by CMT are duplicates of the originals but with improved all-weather material that should be able to withstand the change of seasons in Youngstown — where sometimes all seasons can be experienced within a 24-hour period — for years to come. 'They came out really well,' Moran said. Kovach, whose company has worked with police on other projects, said he was given an original marker that he estimated was 100 years old made out of cast iron. Having a design to work with, he used materials he said are similar to those used in outdoor advertising signs and signs at national parks that are designed to hold up in all kinds of weather. He cut the signs himself, he said, at home. The time and materials were donated to the police. 'They should hold up pretty well,' Kovach said. Cruickshank was in charge of research. She called the local cemeteries to make sure the graves were there and to get their exact locations. She also used internet searches to help find them, Cruickshank said. Sweeney and Cruickshank then went to each grave to place a new marker on them. They did the work late last fall but wanted to wait until this month, when Police Memorial Week is held, to unveil them. The department will join other departments in a memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel to honor local officers from the Mahoning Valley who have died in the line of duty. Moran said he understands how the markers may have deteriorated over the years because no one regularly checked on them, but with 165 officers dying in the line of duty last year, he said he wants to make sure they are not forgotten. 'Sometimes things go by the wayside, but these guys need to be remembered for their sacrifices and what they did for their community,' Moran said. Kovach said he was glad to help out but added he hopes his help is not needed again. 'I don't want to have to make any more,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lafayette police honor Jolivette and Middlebrook in Memorial Week
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — It's Police Memorial Week, and the Lafayette Police Department has honored two fallen officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. When it comes to remembering Sr. Cpl. Segus Jolivette and Cpl. Michael Middlebrook, the Lafayette Police Department, has a saying, 'Lost but never forgotten,' to keep their memory and legacy of service alive. A memorial wall dedicated to Sr. Cpl. Jolivette and Cpl. Middlebrook is displayed at the Lafayette Police Department Precinct 4. 'It is a loss for our department, but we will never forget them,' and it's a way to remember and honor all Jolivette and Middlebrook did while serving their community.' said Sgt. Robin Green 'We appreciate their dedication and their sacrifice, and so this memorial is very special for that reason.' Nyjal Hurst indicted in connection with the death of Lafayette Sr. Cpl. Segus Jolivette Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now When it comes to remembering Jolivette and Middlebrooke, Cpt. Thaddeus Sices said he worked closely with Sr. Cpl. Jolivette as both his captain and sergeant. He said it was an honor to work with Jolivette and remembers how much the community loved him. 'Segus was well-liked in his community. You know, he exemplified our mission statement. He operated with a sense of courage, dedication, compassion, and integrity. He was very well-liked by his peers, and every assignment that he was given, he always completed,' Sices said Sgt. Green said Cpl. Middlebrook is remembered for his heart for people, especially how he cared for the less fortunate. She said there were many times Middlebrook would go to convenience stores and see if they had food that was not expired, but they were taking it off the shelf. 'He wouldn't allow them to throw it away. He would take that food, and he would pass it out to the homeless just to make sure that they had something to eat.' Green said. LPD said both Jolivette and Middlebrooke will forever be in their hearts as they celebrate police memorial week. Latest news Lafayette police honor Jolivette and Middlebrook in Memorial Week LPSS teachers get salary raise, starting at $50K St. Landry Evangeline Sexual Assault Center loses funding Hot & Dry Days Through the Weekend With Showers Possible Next Week… Father condemns Lafayette teachers after allegedly assaulting a student Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
