Mike Wolanin | The Republic Members of the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department color guard gather before the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor fallen law enforcement officers at POW/MIA Plaza in Columbus, Ind., Friday, May 19, 2023.
In commemoration of National Police Week, a memorial service was held Friday morning in Columbus to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
The ceremony was at the Public Safety Plaza near Second Street and Jackson Street and included area law enforcment representatives, including Columbus police, Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies, Columbus firefighters and Indiana State Police.
During the 30-minute ceremony, officers honored the 246 police officers and 25 police canines who died in the line of duty during 2022.
The ceremony featured area law enforcement Honor Guards, bagpipers, a “21 gun” salute, and the playing of “Taps.”
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week to honor officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Three Indiana officers are on this year’s list, including Noah Shahnavaz, Gary Weinke and Douglas Sanford.
