HONOR OUR FALLEN. A special time for us to all come together during these unprecedented and uncertain times of COVID-19. Today is Peace Officer Memorial Day and we want you to join us to appropriately honor the fallen officers when COVID has made it increasingly challenging to show our gratitude and respect for our fallen with the appropriate memorials.
We have created a very special way for us all to give these men and women an appropriate and lasting memorial. If you have not already done so join us in our Light For Law Enforcement memorial. We are asking you to light a candle at your agency and upload your photo or video to our candle collage at https://www.givinggrid.com/light-for-law-enforcement/. We are lighting 22,000 candles across the country. This requires a small minimum donation of $5 and the proceeds will go to the National Fallen Officers Memorial Fund.
In the first 4 months of this year, the nation has lost 61 officers, unfortunately, we in Texas have lost 10 of our law enforcement family members. During this COVID-19 pandemic, the situation has become more challenging as officers on the front lines are not only maintaining law and order in this new order of policing but also battling contact with the virus. The nation has lost 17 law enforcement professionals over the last 7 weeks to the COVID-19 virus. These men and women, who faced these dangerous conditions day after day, are truly unsung heroes during this uncertain time in our history.
Police week ends tomorrow, Texas and our nation has observed National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day in remembrance of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This year, 307 fallen officers, including 21 Texans, were honored on Wednesday with a Virtual Candlelight Vigil remembering each of them by name and having their names engraved on the memorial wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum.
Each of the four pathway entrances to the Memorial walls is adorned with a powerful statuary grouping of an adult lion protecting its cubs. Sculpted by Raymond Kaskey, the statues symbolize the protective role law enforcement officers deliver and convey the strength, courage, and valor that are the hallmarks of all who serve. Unfortunately, the wall has 22,000 officer names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and will forever be remembered as a hero and memorialized for eternity.
Off Duty Management has the utmost respect, gratitude, and thanks for all law enforcement professionals across our great nations. We respect and appreciate the dedication and passion you have for serving and protecting your communities, neighbors, and friends and for your selfless sacrifice and service. Being built by officers for officers, we understand the hardships and challenges that you endure with today’s law enforcement and we are eternally grateful that you continue to put your life on the line to protect and serve others.
During this year’s National Police Week, it is our greatest wish to extend to every officer our respect and honor that they so rightly deserve. Especially those who have fallen in the line of duty.
You can help us honor the memories of our fallen protectors by visiting: https://www.givinggrid.com/light-for-law-enforcement/
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the 39th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service will not take place as planned. Therefore, Off Duty Management would like to recognize our Texas officers whose names are being engraved on the wall this year along with Texas peace officers that have fallen in 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and agencies of these valiant officers.
Honored on the Memorial Wall this year:
|
Officer Name |
Department |
End of Watch |
|
Abner Matlock |
Atascosa County, TX, S.O. |
08/12/1911 |
|
Jose Humberto Meza |
Burnet, TX, P.D. |
12/20/2019 |
|
Peter John Herrera |
El Paso County, TX, S.O. |
03/24/2019 |
|
Matthew Ryan Jones |
Falls County, TX, S.O. |
10/11/2019 |
|
Albert Ramirez Castaneda, Jr. |
Grand Praire, TX, P.D. |
06/07/2019 |
|
Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal |
Harris County, TX, S.O. |
9/27/2019 |
|
Christopher Charles Lewis Brewster |
Houston, TX, P.D. |
12/07/2019 |
|
Russell Dean Salazar |
Kendall County, TX, Community Supervision and Corrections |
01/31/2019 |
|
Carlos Aaron Ramirez |
Kendall County, TX, S.O. |
07/02/2019 |
|
Nathan Hayden Heidelberg |
Midland, TX, P.D. |
03/05/2019 |
|
Jose Luis Espericueta, Jr. |
Mission, TX, P.D. |
06/20/2019 |
|
Kaila Marie Sullivan |
Nassau Bay, TX, P.D. |
12/10/2019 |
|
William Christopher Dickerson |
Panola County, TX, S.O. |
12/31/2019 |
|
Clifton John Martinez |
San Antonio ISD, TX, P.D. |
12/21/2019 |
|
Bryan Charles Pfluger |
San Jacinto County, TX, S.O. |
12/21/2019 |
|
Ollie Parks |
Stephens County, TX, C.O. |
03/17/1932 |
|
Moises Sanchez |
Texas Department of Public Safety |
08/24/2019 |
|
Ernest St. Leon |
Texas Rangers, TX |
08/31/1898 |
|
David Jones Fitzpatrick |
The Colony, TX, P.D. |
06/10/2019 |
|
Joseph Lamar Kolb |
Walker County, TX, C.O., Pct. 1 |
09/14/1921 |
|
Jose Luiz Blancarte |
Kinney County, TX, S.O. |
08/23/2019 |
Fallen in 2020:
|
Officer Name |
Department |
End of Watch |
|
Lionel Q. Martinez |
Alamo Colleges P.D., TX |
05/05/2020 |
|
Jason Knox |
Houston, TX, P.D. |
05/02/2020 |
|
Timothy De La Fuente |
Bexar County, TX, S.O. |
04/30/2020 |
|
John Andrew Rhoden |
Bell County, TX, S.O. |
04/26/2020 |
|
Justin Putnam |
San Marcos, TX, P.D. |
04/18/2020 |
|
Kirk A. Coker |
Hutchinson County, TX, S.O. |
03/29/2020 |
|
Christopher Scott Korzilius |
Travis County, TX, S.O. |
03/18/2020 |
|
Richard Edward Whitten |
Liberty County, TX, S.O. |
02/03/2020 |
|
Alan Daniel McCollum |
Corpus Christi, TX, P.D. |
01/31/2020 |
|
Nicholas Lee Reyna |
Lubbock, TX, P.D. |
01/11/2020 |
