Area officers honor those who have fallen

PARK HILLS – Area law enforcement officers honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities.

A police memorial ceremony was held Wednesday morning at Mineral Area College. Officers from almost every department in the county attended the memorial. May 15 has been observed as Police Officers Memorial Day every year since 1962.

Richard Flotron, training coordinator for the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy, was the guest speaker for the ceremony.

“I want all of the police officers here to remember that first time they put on that uniform,” Flotron said. “Wasn’t that the greatest day of your life? Didn’t you feel like you were Superman – like you were going to go out and rid the world of all crime?”

Flotron said when officers start out they want to do big things but it’s not long before they realize that most police work is the little things.

“Nothing like we see on television,” he said. “Contrary to popular belief, we are not able to solve all major crimes and secure a conviction in an hour – minus commercials.”

Flotron said officers have changed and will change the world for all people whose lives they have touched and will continue to touch. He recalled a quote remembered from teaching D.A.R.E. – “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

“Those that have worn the uniform and paid the ultimate price were the world to their families and to the many people they came in contact with,” Flotron said. “That is why we assemble every year and pay our respects to them.”

Among those remembered were Sheriff John Polk, Sheriff William London, Trooper Fred Walker, Trooper James Froemsdorf, Deputy John Golf, Trooper Robert Kolilis, Sgt. Randy Sullivan and Deputy Steven Ziegler.

The program included the Presentation of Colors by the Potosi Correctional Center Color Guard, an invocation and benediction by Police Chaplain Darryl Rhodes, the playing of “Taps” by Dr. Kevin White. The program closed with the retiring of Colors and “Amazing Grace.”