Fallen officers to be remembered at MAC

PARK HILLS — So far this year 59 officers have lost their lives in the line of duty in the United States, following up one of the most violent years in history of 126 deaths in 2009, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page on the Internet.

Mineral Area College and law enforcement from St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Madison, Washington, Perry and Iron counties will pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice these officers have made during a brief ceremony held in the college’s Fine Arts Center Theatre (formerly known as the Community Center), on  Tuesday at 10 a.m.

This annual ceremony, which is open to the public, provides all citizens and law enforcement personnel an opportunity to honor those who have honored us through their dedication and devotion to duty.

Mark S. Potratz, director of the Department of Public Safety, invites the community to attend the memorial, which will feature the acknowledgment of the colors and National Anthem, invocation, and playing of “Taps.” The program includes a moving multimedia presentation on officers from our region who died in the line of duty, and concludes with a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

“Please join us in commemorating those who have sacrificed so much for the safety of us all,” Potratz said.