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Fallen, but not forgotten
Officers Memorial 2009
Gallery
Area Police Officers and Families gathered to honor the memory and the valor of the mena and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
A Tribute to Memorial Day
Video
Memorial Day, the day on which graves of veterans are decorated, has a long and well-established connection to the Mahoning Valley.
Memorial honors officers killed in line of duty
Police officers, family members and community supporters attended the annual gathering.
YOUNGSTOWN — Bagpipes played, heads bowed in prayer, and roses were laid as police officers from the area, state and other parts of the country honored their fallen comrades.
The annual Fallen Officers Memorial sponsored by Fraternal Order of Police Youngstown Lodge 28 was Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The memorial coincides with National Peace Officers Week, which began May 15.
Police cars from a host of departments were parked outside the historic church. Inside were enlarged photographs of 21 of the 24 officers killed in the line of duty in Mahoning County since 1891.
Retired Detective Sgt. Elrico Alli, president of FOP Lodge 28, said he was fortunate to have known seven of the men being honored. He said the annual event is all about those men memorialized in photos at the front of the church and the families they left behind.
“The guys, over the years, who have lost their lives for the community — we want to make sure they are remembered. That is our theme, remembering fallen officers,” he said. “We are particularly grateful to the families for coming out.”
Marilyn and Nicole DeSalle are members of one of those families. Marilyn lost her husband, Officer Ralph DeSalle, in the line of duty in June 1984 when Nicole, their daughter, was less than 2 years old.
Marilyn said memorials honoring the man she remembers as a wonderful husband, father and a devoted police officer are difficult but necessary.
“The ceremonies are just bittersweet. It’s almost like you relive that day over and over again, but they deserve to be honored and remembered forever,” she said.
Marilyn said her daughter takes pride in hearing comments from some of her father’s former co-workers because her own memories are limited.
Mayor Jay Williams presented and read a proclamation to the fallen officers. Councilwoman Annie Louise Gillam, D-1st, also offered a proclamation from city council along with words of encouragement.
Gillam told those in attendance that she is reminded of the September 2001 attacks on New York City and how police officers were running to the danger while everyone else was running in the other direction. She said such fears are what families of officers face daily.
“That has to be something to deal with when you know something is going on and your husband or your son is going into that danger to help others,” she said.
Tammy King, chairwoman of the criminal justice department at Youngstown State University and YSU police academy supervisor, offered a history on law enforcement and the mounting dangers associated with the field.
Paul Gains, Mahoning County prosecutor, spoke on the respect warranted for the risk officers take on a daily basis. Gains said people offer him more respect for being a former officer than other life endeavors.
“The reason for that is because people know the risk you take. They appreciate the risk you take,” he said. “You are appreciated for doing your duty and letting the gods do the rest.”
The ceremony also included the laying of a rose for each officer lost in the line of duty and salute via firearms. The Austintown Fitch High School choir performed along with the Pipes and Drums of the Cleveland Police.
jgoodwin@vindy.com