Memorial service honors fallen local law enforcement officers

Forty-eight fallen Missouri officers and their families were saluted Friday at the annual Seniors and Lawmen Together law enforcement memorial ceremony held at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

More than 220 people gathered to remember officers from around the state killed in the line of duty, including Albert Demortiers, Willis Martin, Nathaniel Hutson, Herbert Goss and Donald Crittendon of the Cape Girardeau Police Department and Herman Sewing of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department.

The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of National Police Week by President John F. Kennedy. As part of that celebration, 362 officers will be added to the more than 19,000 names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Jackson police chief James Humphreys welcomed attendees and emphasized SALT's commitment to honor lawmen who were "fallen but not forgotten."

SALT secretary Doug Austin echoed the organization's intention to create a "visible and measurable homage" and shared its desire to bring awareness of the sacrifices made by officers and their families to the next generation.

Austin presented awards to nine winners of a contest sponsored by SALT and the Southeast Missourian Jr., a children's newspaper published by the Southeast Missourian. Graesan Meystedt, 12, John Paul Schuchardt, 12, and Madison Arpin, 12, were awarded medals for their essays about police officers and National Police Week. Lauren Brown, 8, Claire Southard, 9, and Nick Williams, 9, were honored for their poetry, and Connor Ritter, 7, Stella Wright, 7, and Victoria Hurley, 7, were awarded for coloring.

Keynote speaker Dr. Frank Nickell, Southeast Missouri State University's director of the Center of Regional History, highlighted the officers' public service and willingness to move toward danger to protect their community and fellow officers.

Representatives of 10 families stood to receive flowers on behalf of fallen officers, including Sewing's daughter, grandson and granddaughter.

Laverne Schwab was 12 years old when her father was called to a motor vehicle accident on a stormy night in 1947. He was struck by a tractor-trailer that jackknifed on Highway 25, near what is now the entrance to Forest Acres subdivision, as he attempted to help a motorist.

Schwab attended for the fourth year, joined by her son Bradley Schwab and daughter Karen Waller.

"It brings back a lot of memories," she said.

It was Waller's first year participating, and she stood to accept the rose presented in memory of the grandfather she never met. She said she would encourage all families to come.

"I am just so moved by this whole thing," she said.

Schwab said she always enjoys the service and that the event has given her the opportunity to show respect to current members of the local law enforcement community. She knows what it is like to have an officer in the family and not to know what each day will bring.

"I'm sure every day when they leave that house, they have to think if that person is coming back," Schwab said.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3648

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2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO