Blair Remembers Fallen Officers

"Always hug your family before you leave for your shift." That was advice given by Tim Rutledge, guest speaker at the 28th annual Blair County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service in front of the county courthouse, to law enforcement officers in attendance.

Officer Rutledge, who served 30 years in law enforcement, including with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and founder of Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support (LEAPS), recognized all law enforcement spouses in attendance, acknowledging that being married to a police officer is difficult. He talked about courage and uncommon valor.

"Every day you don that vest, you think, 'I might die today.' It's asking a lot to be a law enforcement officer," Rutledge said.

Rutledge said of law enforcement officers that "every day you go to work, you make a conscious decision that their lives are more important than yours. The peoples' safety is more important than yours. They are willing to sacrifice everything; some do. The willingness to sacrifice everything will never change."

Hollidaysburg Borough Mayor Joe Dodson reminded citizens that in Blair County, citing the events in Geeseytown, that we are not safe from random acts of terror and mayhem. He said that we can take solace knowing that the brave members of state and local law enforcement put their lives on the line daily so that we can enjoy our freedoms.

K-9 Officer Ciro of Logan Township represented the riderless horse in memoriam of fellow K-9 officers lost last year. Logan Township Police K-9 Vilo and Blair County Sheriff's Office Lt. K-9 Lily received honorable mention among the Fallen Heroes of 2018.

Deputy Marshal Christopher D. Hill, U.S. Marshal Service; Sgt. Mark J. Baserman, PA Department of Corrections; Sgt. Brian S. Cuscino, New Castle Police Department; Officer Alex I. Sable, York City Police Department; and Officer Mark A. Gaspich, PA Department of Corrections, along with all the fallen men and women in the Armed Forces who fought for the Freedom of this country, were recognized as the Fallen Heroes of 2018, Officers Down in the Line of Duty.

"We are here to honor all of the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including the 12 on the memorial wall," James Ott, Blair County sheriff and president of the Blair County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation, said of this 28th annual Police Memorial Service.

This past year there were five fallen officers, along with two canine officers. Sheriff Ott said it is important that we recognize the service of these fallen officers each year. He added that the support law enforcement has in Blair County is wonderful. The role of the Blair County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation is to be sure the families of fallen heroes, which include their law enforcement agencies, know they have support.

Finally, Sheriff Ott said, "For those men and women working out here diligently every day serving their communities that if God forbid, they make the ultimate sacrifice, that we will be here to remember them and support their families in the future."