The Fraternal Order of Police held their annual fallen peace officer memorial service Thursday afternoon and this year a new name could be found on the monument behind the Hopkinsville Police Department.
Rain didn’t stop the community from attending, as the service moved inside the Christian County Justice Center. There, a picture of the monument stood front and center with the engraving—Officer Phillip Meacham HPD March 29, 2018. Meacham’s death is the first for Hopkinsville in over 30 years, but not the first in Christian County history, as nine other names decorate the memorial.
Hopkinsville Police Chief Clayton Sumner says Meacham’s death brought a lot of questions, doubts, an outpouring of community support and more. He says officers get up each day and put their lives at risk for people they don’t even know because they want to help those who cannot help themselves.
County Attorney Mike Foster urged those in attendance to support their law enforcement officers every day and to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their safety.
Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton thanked all officers for their heroism and says she prays that their end of watch comes at a time of their choosing.
The song “Officer Down” was performed and Commonwealth’s Attorney Lynn Pryor read the poem “Final Inspection” during the ceremony. A roll call was held for the ten men who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1883 in Christian County.
