One by one members of the Hammond Police Department marched past a wreath honoring the department’s fallen, stopping to place a white carnation and momentarily salute, during the department’s annual memorial service.
Eight red carnations marked the lives of the eight Hammond Police offices who list their lives in the line of duty. Five blue carnations represented those officers currently working or retired who had died in the prior year.
The procession was part of the annual memorial service hosted by Fraternal Order of Police 51.
Lt. Mark Tharp, FOP president, lauded the fallen officers for their dedication to duty and desire to go to work every day to help Hammond’s residents.
“Staying faithful to that oath … tragically cost those eight officers their lives,” Tharp said.
Tharp said those on the force today who continue to face these risks in their daily lives honor the legacy of those who have fallen.
“It’s not how you died that made you a hero, it’s how you lived,” Tharp said.
Keynote speaker Lake County Superior Court Judge Aleksandra Dimitrijevic recalled her time as a former county prosecutor, working hand-in-hand with the department’s officers to build the cases to convict those charged with crimes.
“I will always support what is right, what is good and those who protect us,” Dimitrijevic said.
When a person dials 911 for assistance, it is the police who arrive to help, regardless what the call may be about, Dimitrijevic said. That interaction with the public is a vital component of the job.
“You as police officers make more impact on somebody than you would ever know,” she said.
Police Chief Jeff Long read the names of the eight fallen officers and a description of the incident that took their lives.
“To the families…our deepest gratitude. Your sacrifice is immeasurable,” Long said, adding their strength and resilience in light of such loss inspires us all.
Long said he is both deeply saddened by those losses and deeply honored by the sacrifice made by those eight officers and the ones who come to work everyday to serve the community.
“I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of you,” Long said.
