May 4, 2024, Press Release from the Fraternal Order of Police, Lima Lodge #21: On Wednesday, May 08, 2024, the public is invited to attend the Fraternal Order of Police, Lima Lodge #21’s 32nd Annual Police Memorial Service. This is held in conjunction with the National Police Week which begins this year on May 12th and runs through May 18th.
Beginning at 12:00 noon at 750 West Robb Ave in front of the lodge hall at the memorial monument, Law enforcement officers from all agencies in the Lima-Allen County area will assemble for a memorial service to honor the ten Lima-Allen County area law enforcement officers that have lost their lives in service to their communities. A flag ceremony, gun salute and “Taps” will be provided by the Combined Honor Guards of the Allen County Sheriff’s Office and Lima Police Department. In the event of rain, the service will be held inside the lodge.
Allen County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Reed has graciously accepted the invitation to be this year’s keynote speaker.
National Police Memorial Week honors all of the law enforcement officers that have been killed in the line of duty throughout the country. 136 federal, state, county, municipal, military, tribal, and campus officers have died in the line of duty in 2023, representing a 39% decrease compared to the 224 officers who died in the line of duty in 2022. That raises the total to over 23,000 names inscribed on the memorial wall in Washington, DC. So far this year 59 officers have already been killed through April 30, 2024.
Immediately following the memorial service, and during the luncheon for all attendees, the Lima Exchange Club will present this year’s Jack Somerville Law Officer of the Year Award in the lodge hall.
