In honor of National Police Week, May 11-17, area law enforcement officials held a memorial service on Wednesday morning for those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley gave opening remarks that noted although less officer fatalities were reported in 2013 than in 2012 nationwide, Texas continued to lead in these sad statistics.  He stated that in 2012, there were 125 officer fatalities nationally, 13 of which were from Texas and in 2013 there were 105 officer deaths nationwide, with 11 in Texas.  These deaths included the recent death of Billy Kennedy who died in the line of duty with Upton County Sheriff’s Office.  Kennedy was also a former Brown County Sheriff’s deputy.

Early Chief of Police David Mercer recited the poem “A Part of America Died,” which illustrates the loss of an officer to his/her department, family, friends and community.

Bangs Chief of Police Troy Grusendorf read the Honor Roll of Texas officers killed in the line of duty in 2013.  These officers are as follows:

William Sprague – Texarkana Police Department
Lance McLean – Hood County Sheriff’s Office
Robert Hornsby – Killeen Police Department
Jorge Garcia – Pharr Police Department
Michael Freeman – Harrison County Sheriff’s Office
Billy Kennedy – Upton County Sheriff’s Office
Clay Crabb – Austin Police Department
Steven Fleming – Gainesville Police Department
Adam Davis – Bell County Sheriff’s Office
Fredrich Sowders – Burleson County Sheriff’s Office
Robert Deckard – San Antonio Police Department

In honor of these officers, flags were lowered by Lieutenant Randall Krpoun (BPD), Patrolman Fred Bastardo (BPD), and Deputy John Fincher (Brown County Sheriff’s Office).  Brownwood High School band members Laura Cadena and Jeffery Smith played Taps on the trumpet while the flags were lowered.  Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs and Chief Corley placed a red, white and blue memorial wreath in front of the flags.

During the ceremony, Chief Corley asked the public to do some important things this week.

“First, remember and honor our fallen officers; second, pray for the families and especially the children of these fallen officers; third, please take a moment to say thank you to officers for what they do,” asked Corley.  “Please take a moment to remember the community of Killeen, they need our thoughts and prayers.”

BCWID Lake Patrol, Brownwood Police, and Brownwood Firefighters attended the memorial.

Brownwood High School band members Jeffery Smith and Laura Cadena play Taps.

City of Brownwood and Brown County officials as the flags were lowered.

Howard Payne Univeristy Department of Public Safety Assistant Chief Bob Pacatte and Chief Paul Lilly salute as flags were lowered.

Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs and Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley place a wreath after flags were lowered to half staff.