Police Memorial Week Events Honor Law Enforcement Officers

Police Memorial Ceremonies Tuesday Honor PO Sonny Kim; Open Houses at Each Police District

CINCINNATI -- Members of law enforcement agencies have come together with the citizens they serve for more than 50 years to recognize the dedication of peace officers and to honor those killed in the line of duty.  In 1962 President John Kennedy signed the proclamation declaring May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week has come to be known as National Police Week. 

Ceremonies and events are bringing communities together to honor those who serve and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

That's the case in Cincinnati as well.

The many departments and agencies that make up Hamilton County’s Law Enforcement Community held their traditional Police Memorial observance Tuesday, May 10, to honor the brave men and women who've given their lives to protect their neighbors and communities.

PHOTOS FROM THE CEREMONY

Ceremonies at Fountain Square started with the assembled Honor Guards’ call to order and a rendering of our national anthem. Police Chaplain Rabbi Mendy Kalmanson delivered the invocation, and then F.O.P. Queen City Lodge No. 69 President Dan Hils, Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac, Mayor John Cranley, and City Manager Harry Black offered brief remarks to those assembled.

“On behalf of myself and our City Administration, I want to thank the brave men and women of the Cincinnati Police Department and all of those in law enforcement for their dedication and service,” said City Manager Black. “It is through the sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform, and the sacrifice of their families, that our city is safe place to live."

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Heather Russell.

Every aspect of the ceremonies underlines the themes of patriotism, service and dedication to duty. The Police Memorial Ceremony and Parade was especially poignant this year with the loss of Officer Sonny Kim who was tragically killed in the line of duty on June 19, 2015. 

At the conclusion of the Fountain Square program, the Police Memorial parade formed with members of all area law enforcement agencies, their families, friends and supporters. They marched north on Vine Street to Central Parkway and west on Central Parkway to Ezzard Charles Drive and the Police Memorial. 

The changing of the guard opened the program at the Police Memorial. Elements of the ceremonies symbolize loss and honor the memory of fallen officers:  presentation of floral tributes; the bugler sounding Taps; a flyover in the “missing man” formation; and a 21-gun salute.

Chief Isaac presented a posthumous Award of Valor to Officer Kim. Police Specialist Thomas Sandman and other Medal of Valor recipients were presented Awards of Valor followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony.  Mrs. Jessica Kim accompanied by the Cincinnati Honor Guard placed a wreath at the memorial to honor her husband, Officer Kim and the many fallen officers killed in the line of duty. 

Father Steve Angi’s benediction closed the formal ceremonies. 

Open Houses Held at Each Police District

During Police Memorial Week, open houses will be held at each Cincinnati Police District to give citizens the opportunity to meet officers who work in their neighborhoods and to learn about some of the specialized units such as canine patrol and detection teams, Segway and bike patrol, and the Special Weapons and Tactics team. 

The schedule for open houses at the districts is as follows:

• Monday          May  9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.                      District 2
• Tuesday          May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.          District 1 and CBS
• Wednesday     May 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.                     District 3
• Thursday         May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.                     District 4
• Friday              May 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.                     District 5