Peace Officers Memorial Day

Flags across the United States will be at half staff today. In 1962 a joint resolution of Congress authorized and requested President John F. Kennedy to proclaim May 15 of each year as Peace Officer's Memorial Day. The week in which it falls is "Police Week," and nationwide at court houses, state houses, cemeteries, police stations, and other locations ceremonies large and small will be held honoring police officers, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, and other law officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Lincoln Police Department marked Police Week at our own ceremony on the steps of the Hall of Justice and Law Enforcement Center on Tuesday. A nice crowd ranging from our newest recruits to a large contingent of our retirees turned out to here remarks appropriate for the occasion by our long time colleague from the City Law Department, John McQuinn after an invocaton by Rev. Dr. Harry Riggs. Captain Genelle Moore revealed a previously hidden talent by singing Amazing Grace a capella, the LPD Honor Guard posted and retired the colors with their usual precision, and Sgt. Tom Ward's playing of taps raised the goose bumps on many arms.

All in all, it was a fitting remembrance of those officers who gave their lives in service to their fellow citizens of Lincoln. It has been forty years since a Lincoln police officer has died in the line of duty. I think, though, that we all realize it could happen at any instant. We will pass the memory of these five officers on to each succeeding generation of Lincoln police officers.

Captain Charles E. Hall died on March 31, 1917 in a motor vehicle collision near 33rd and Adams. Detective Hall was 53 years old and survived by his wife and four children.

Officer Richard E. Leyden died on September 26, 1949 of injuries suffered in a traffic collision on 16th St. between G and H. Officer Leyden was to be married on October 2, 1949.

Detective Lieutenant Frank H. Soukup died on December 16, 1966. in a gun battle at 2413 P Street. Lt. Soukup was 53 years old and survived by his wife and three children.

Detective Paul B. Whitehead died on August 10, 1967 when he was shot near 38th and O Street by an escapee from the Indiana State Prison. Detective Whitehead was 30 years old and survived by his wife and three children.

Officer George E. Welter died on February 9, 1968 when his police motorcycle collided with a motor vehicle at 27th and W Street. Officer Welter was 25 years old and survived by his wife and three children.