20 police officers who have fallen in the line of duty were remembered at a ceremony on Wednesday in downtown St. Joseph.
Police, family, and supporters gathered at the Berrien County Law Enforcement Memorial Monument for the annual event as those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice were honored.
Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein, the keynote speaker, said the example of the fallen officers serves as a reminder to everyone to work for a better world.
“Let us work together to build a world where those ideals for which they fought can flourish and where their sacrifices will never be forgotten,” Hosbein said. “May we always remember and honor those brave men and women who gave their lives in service. May we strive to be worthy of that sacrifice.”
Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit told us it’s important to recognize the service of the fallen officers and thank their families.
“It’s just good to see them come back,” Heit said. “Some can’t make it so we make sure we have an officer representing so that each officer is represented, recognized and that their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
17 of the 20 officers honored died in the line of duty in Berrien County between 1907 and 2016. Three of the honored officers were former residents who died in the line of duty outside the area between 1984 and 2009.
Family of fallen officers laid flowers at the monument as each name was read and police fired off a 21-gun salute.
