Beaver County issued the following announcement on May 12.
In honor of National Police Week, the county will conduct a small memorial service Friday morning to celebrate the sacrifices police officers make each day. But due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the service will only have a few officers present, with a Facebook live stream available for the community to view.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to add the correct Facebook page link.
Beaver County will honor fallen police officers on Friday, but the service will look a little different than years prior.
In honor of National Police Week, the county will conduct a small memorial service Friday morning to celebrate the sacrifices police officers make each day. But due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the service will only have a few officers present, with a Facebook live stream available for the community to view.
“Remembering the sacrifice of our past fallen officers is important for our community, as is remembering the daily sacrifices and risks taken by our current officers and their families,” District Attorney David Lozier said. “No other profession requires a citizen to put on a bulletproof vest and a gun before every shift. The risks are real.”
The memorial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the Beaver County Police Memorial outside of the county courthouse. The service will be live streamed through the Beaver Valley Fraternal Order of Police’s Facebook page.
The service will recognize the 16 fallen officers who have their names inscribed in the memorial wall, as well as the local two police chiefs who died only a few weeks ago.
“We lost two police chiefs within the past month who may be added to the wall next year,” Lozier said.
Aliquippa Police Chief Robert Sealock died April 11 after he suffered a respiratory emergency on March 26 during his shift.
Ambridge Police Chief Mark Romutis died April 12 after testing positive for COVID-19 just a few weeks earlier.
“The COVID-19 death of Chief Romutis brought home the threat which this pandemic holds over all law enforcement and their families,” Lozier said.
Due to the virus, police are taking measures — such as wearing personal protective equipment, social distancing and avoiding unnecessary contact with citizens — to reduce their risk, Lozier said.
“But even with these precautions, police must physically intervene every day be it a during a safety search, an emergent traffic stop, domestic or child abuse, or rendering first aid,” he said.
Officers risk their lives every day for their communities, which is why Monaca Police Chief and President of the Beaver Valley Fraternal Order of Police David Piuri said it’s important to honor police officers.
“There’s no other day that is more important than honoring and remembering the sacrifices that have been made by the men and women in law enforcement,” Piuri said. “It is particularly important that we remember these officers and honor their families and show them that when we say, ‘Never Forget,’ we mean it. That’s why it’s very important every day.”
Due to social distancing constraints, the public can only view the memorial service through Facebook.
But there are other ways the community can support officers this week.
Piuri said people can swap their traditional porch light bulbs out for blue bulbs to show support for police.
Lozier said if you see an officer this week, thank them.
“When you see an officer, say thank you,” Lozier said. “When you need an officer’s assistance — call, but please help them stay safe and keep you safe at the same time.”
Original source here.
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