Sean C. Morgan
Mitzi Ostermiller reverently read Friday evening a tribute for the police officers who died in a shooting in Dallas, Texas.
She closed her eyes in a brief moment of silence before turning away, her eyes welling with tears.
“What I think is cool,” Ostermiller said, “they would take a bullet for us. I don’t know if they know if the opportunity arose, (whether) I’d take a bullet for them.”
She was among dozens who gathered at the Sweet Home Police Department for a candlelight vigil held to honor the memory of nine police officers who have died in four shooting incidents in 2016.
“We’re here tonight to recognize the tragedy and loss of nine police officers’ lives, to show our support to each of their police departments, to show respect to their families, our profession and the badge and to unite as a community,” said Community Services Officer Gina Riley.
So far this year, 69 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, Riley said. Of those 32 were by gunfire. In July alone, 18 have died. They averaged 40 years of age with an average tour of duty of 12 years, three months.
Beth Shook, victims advocate with the Linn County District Attorney’s Office, read the names of eight of the police officers and spoke about each of them.
Targeted by a sniper in Dallas, Texas, on July 7, they included Officer Patrick Zamarippa, 32; Officer Michael Krol, 40, Sgt. Michael Smith, 55; and Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, 48, of the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Rapid Area Transit Officer Brent Thompson, 43.
In a shooting in Baton Rouge, La., 10 days later, three died, including Baton Rouge Police Department Officers Matthew Gerald, 41, and Montrell Jackson, 32, and East Baton Rouge Parish Deputy Brad Garafola, 45.
She also named Kansas City, Kan., Capt. Robert Melton, 46, who died in a shooting on July 19.
“Some of you might be listening to these names and think, well, those are very large police departments in very large cities,” Riley said. “Let me remind you of Seaside, Ore., in February of this year: Seaside Police Department, Sgt. Jason Gooding, 39, end of watch Feb. 5, 2016.”
A flag with a thin blue line on a black background flew over the vigil.
Retired Police Chief Bob Burford explained the significance of the symbol.
“Police officers stand as a thin line to protect society, good from evil, order from chaos,” he said. The color is derived from the traditional color of modern police uniforms. Many municipal police departments still wear blue.
“To some, the thin blue line emblem simply means a show of support for police, acknowledging the role that they play in society,” Burford said. “To others, it represents the solidarity that police officers share with fellow professionals. Police, like any other profession, have an understanding of what fellow officers do and what they go through on a daily basis. If anything, the thin blue line demonstrates support for one another and their commitment to the highest of ethical standards.
“To law enforcement officers, the thin blue line signifies their commitment to protect all citizens regardless of color, ethnicity, social status, disability or sexual preference. The thin blue line is simply that the police are here to serve the public no matter where we may be.”
Sgt. Jason Van Eck said that local police officers stood with the crowd Friday evening to show that law enforcement is more than its tight-knit community, that they are part of the community.
“Tonight as we remember the fallen officers, please take comfort that they dedicated their lives to the same principles, honor, duty and courage that brought us here as Sweet Home police officers,” he said. “I’d like to thank the community for all the support that they’ve shown whether it be for the goodies that they brought down, the cards that they’ve sent, the pats on the back, the thank yous that we all seem to be getting a lot more of these days (in the wake of the shootings),” he said. “We appreciate knowing that the community supports all of us here at the Police Department, the officers, the dispatchers and everyone else.
“We all take pride in wearing the badge and doing what we do. Such a life is truly rich, takes strength in knowing that when an officer falls, our resolve is to serve those in need. That is not diminished. Our dedication is standing strong.
“Godspeed to all of our brothers and sisters. You fought the good fight, and you will be remembered. Rest in peace.”
Sweet Home Police Department Chaplain Kevin Green, himself a former Sheriff’s deputy, closed the ceremony with a prayer for law enforcement officers, followed by a minute of silence.
“We just ask that you would be with them as they carry out their duties, to keep them safe,” Greene said. Specifically for the Sweet Home community, he asked God to strengthen law enforcement officers, “to keep our calm, keep our professionalism and keep our strength and do the right thing and always take the high road, give us the strength to do that in a tough time.”