A number of local officers made the trip to Washington D.C. That’s where a vigil was held for fallen heroes from across the country. This past week at the Washington D.C. memorial 371 names were added to it including officer Rob Pitts who died in the line of duty last May. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website in 2019 there have been 41 officer fatalities across the country, 4 of those in Illinois.
Chief Shawn Keen of THPD, on e of the meny who travelled to Washington D.C., said “It means a lot. Like I said this is about my 13th time doing this, but its different when you actually lose one of your own officers, it means a little bit more.”
Back here in Terre Haute the police department also paid tribute to officers lost in the line of duty. Tonight’s vigil honored Officer Pitts along with Officer Brent Long who was killed in the line of duty in 2011. The loss of the two men remains difficult for those who knew them.
Todd Haller from THPD said, “when I first started the job we didn’t see ceremonies like this. And we didn’t hear about community support. It’s not until, unfortunately, we see tragedy striking daily that the community has stepped up. … Obviously when you lose an officer, and a friend or a coworker, its very difficult.”
Last week the Terre Haute Police were joined by members of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department during the annual memorial service to fallen officers. During the ceremony 13 names of fallen law enforcement were read aloud.
