Peace Officers honored and remembered

BONNERS FERRY — In a profession where the call to duty is to run toward the sound of gunfire, rather than away, there is always the possibility of not returning home from work. Law enforcement officers accept this risk every day that they put on their badge, their vest, their gun. They accept it in order to serve and protect their community.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls was designated as Police Week.

On Thursday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m., people gathered at the former Armory building to honor the National Peace Officer Memorial Observance.

The evening began with a welcome from Boundary County Chaplain Dave Lotz, followed by an invocation by Chaplain Mark Baldwin and the Presentation of the Colors by the Boundary County Fire Service Honor Guard. Honor Guard member Cheryl Jackson led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance, then Chaplain Len Pine’s voice filled the room with the national anthem.

Chaplain Todd Krautkremer read from the scriptures of Ezekiel 33:2-6, Romans 13:1-4, and Psalm 82:3-4, followed by Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims, who read the City Proclamation.

Bonners Ferry Police Chief Brian Zimmerman spoke about “Gone, but not Forgotten,” then Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer explained the symbolism of the empty table set up before the podium.

The table was set for the fallen Peace Officer that is not present. It is round to represent the never ending concern for the fallen Peace Officer. The tablecloth is white, representing the purity of their motives, while the American Flag is a reminder of the oath taken to uphold the Constitution — a reminder that is presented to the family.

The single red rose in the vase signifies the blood that may have shed in sacrifice, while the slice of lemon on the bread plate represents the bitter fate of the Peace Officers killed in the line of duty. Salt is sprinkled on the bread plate, a symbol of the countless fallen tears of family and friends.

The inverted glass represents the fact that the fallen Officers cannot partake, and the Bible represents the strength gained through faith. A lit candle represents the light of hope, and finally — the empty chair shows that the fallen Peace Officer is not present.

The lights were then lowered as the audience, seated or standing around the edges of the room, passed a flame from candle to candle, and the reading of names began.

The 228 names of fallen Peace Officers where read in turn by Boundary County Undersheriff Rich Stephens, Bonners Ferry Assistant Chief of Police Marty Ryan, Idaho State Police Trooper Dustin Kralik, U.S. Customs and Border Protection James Solum, and Boundary County Chaplains — Todd Krautkremer, Lewis Clark, Mark Baldwin, Paula DesBiens and Dave Lotze.

During the reading, the audience sat still with solemn expressions on their faces, barely visible by the candlelight. Once gentleman sitting near the partially open bay door, guarded his flame gently from the occasional breeze as it whispered it’s way through the room.

When the lights came on, Kramer took to the podium and introduced the evening speaker, Mike Hutter, retired Ponderay Chief of Police.

“Law enforcement is not near as popular in other parts of the U.S.,” Hutter said. “Officers are assaulted on a regular basis, ambushed, and unfortunately seriously hurt and killed.”

“It takes a special person to put on a uniform, put on a gun belt, strap on a bullet resistant vest, and go to work,” he said. “You don’t know, when you go to work, if you will come home that night.”

The Wreath Laying Ceremony was performed by Stephens, followed by Last Call, then a prayer by Kraukremer. The memorial was closed with the Retiring of the Colors and Patrick Warkentin playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

People lingered after it was over, shaking hands and patting backs, peace officers and civilians. Stories were told over cookies… and for a time people remembered and honored.