Fallen law enforcement officers remembered at annual FOP memorial service

Since 1893, ten local law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty, and on Thursday, they were honored and remembered at the annual memorial service hosted by the Hopkinsville Fraternal Order of Police.

Along with the local FOP, officers from the Hopkinsville Police Department, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Campbell Military Police and the Christian County Jail were a part of the ceremony.

Community members gathered at Police Park near the Hopkinsville Police Department for the ceremony and were welcomed by local FOP President Mike Velez. When an officer dies in the line of duty, Velez says their loss ripples through the community and is felt deeply by fellow law enforcement. He also shared that the families of the fallen are not grieving alone.

Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby shared that he is no stranger to loss. During his law enforcement career, he says he has buried five Kentucky State Troopers, five sheriff deputies and eight city officers who have served Kentucky communities. Each day officers leave for work, Newby says they know that they could possibly lose their lives that day, but they serve anyway to protect others.

Two months ago, Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond says he and some of his deputies gathered at the grave site of a fallen officer, and although they died eight years ago, their loss still feels sharp. While National Police Week invites folks to honor law enforcement across the country, DeArmond says the officers who have given their lives should be remembered year-round.

The 10 fallen officers remembered at the ceremony were Officer R.H. West, Officer Henry Layne, Officer Charles Hord, Deputy Wallace Meyers, Officer Owen Flack, Officer Amos Faulkner, Trooper Joseph Ward, Officer Bob Banker, Specialist James Sakofsky and Officer Phillip Meacham.

To conclude the ceremony, Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight and Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam read a proclamation recognizing May 10 through May 16 as National Police Week.

Mike Velez

Jason Newby

Tyler DeArmond