BREMERTON — The Kitsap County Law Enforcement Memorial Service is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 17, at Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton.
The memorial service is open to the public and is conducted in observance of National Police Week, May 15-21.
Each May, the nation salutes those Americans who place their lives on the line every day to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.
National Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week were established by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
In the nation’s capital, thousands of police officers, survivors, families, friends and the public will take time to memorialize and honor the 145 law enforcement officers who were lost in the line of duty in 2016.
Those officers’ names, added to the more than 20,000 names already inscribed on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Memorial, will be formally dedicated.
“Although the odds are low, the threat of loss of life and injury is real and does occur in Kitsap County,” Kitsap County Sheriff Gary Simpson said in an announcement of the local memorial service.
“In this county’s 160-year history, seven law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. There have been numerous instances where officers have been shot at by suspects and we can’t keep track of the number of times they have been injured or received threats due to the physical encounters to which they’ve responded.
“Even when officers have escaped physical harm, the emotional toll can continue to have a significant impact on officers and their families. Physical and emotional trauma experienced on a regular basis just doesn’t go away after going out of service at the end of a shift.
“I’m very proud to serve alongside all county-wide law enforcement professionals. We believe each day that we are given opportunities to make a difference in our communities. I ask that you will take a moment to recognize the members of your local agency. I hope they will feel a sense of appreciation for the hard work they do, and for the dedicated service they bring to our communities. They provide an important role in our society.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the following law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty between 1931 and 2012 in Kitsap County.
Agent George V. Trabing, Department of Justice, Bureau of Prohibition. End of watch: Aug. 19, 1931.
Sheriff Daniel L. Blankenship, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department. End of watch: Nov. 4, 1934.
Sheriff Paul R. Blankenship, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department. End of watch: Dec. 21, 1940.
Deputy Sheriff Dennis R. Allred, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. End of watch April 19, 1978.
Officer Michael Erdahl, Department of Corrections. End of watch: May 29, 1985.
Special Agent Johnny A. Masengale, Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. End of watch: May 6, 1992.
Trooper Tony V. Radulescu, Washington State Patrol. End of watch: Feb. 23, 2012.
