TERRE HAUTE Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) May 4th and July 11th are two days that will live on in the Wabash Valley Community. Those are the days officer’s Rob Pitts and Brent Long made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
But Saturday instead of mourning their loss the community rallied together to celebrate their lives.
Rain greeted those at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church Saturday morning, gloomy weather for a day many will never forget.
“The Bible tells us that, that we are to give honor were honor is due,” Blue Knights Champlin Dan Walls said. “So, we are all gathered today in this weather to honor our fallen today.”
Friends, family and fellow officers paid tribute to two Terre Haute Police officers who made the ultimate sacrifices in the line of duty.
Rob Pitts and Brent Long’s memories were honored on the anniversary of Officer Pitts passing.
The group started by visiting officer Long’s final resting place to say a few words and pray.
Then as the rain came pouring down members of the Blue Knight’s lead the group on a ride from Terre Haute to Sullivan where Pitts was laid to rest where there more prayers were prayed, and tears were shed.
For members of the Blue Knight’s, which are comprised of former and present men and women in uniform that ride motorcycles to honor fallen comrades, each ride holds a special meeting.
“They swore an oath and to serve and protect,” Walls said. “So, it’s a small sacrifice for us to gear up and get on our bikes and to show that sacrifice to come and honor them.”
But for those who remember the officers, today was more about remembering their life and celebrating the time they had with them.
“More than anything else we are thankful for the time that we had with Rob Pitts,” Terre Haute Public Information Officer Ryan Adamson said. “We are thankful for the time that we continue to have with his family. We are grateful for a great community and the Pitts family. More importantly, we are grateful for our community and we continue to feel that love day in and day out. Without the community the healing wouldn’t be nearly what it is.”
The Terre Haute Police Department will have a memorial on Thursday, May 9th at 4 p.m. at THPD headquarters to remember all the officers lost in the line of duty.
Then between Sunday, May 12th and Thursday, May 16th members of THPD and Pitt’s family will be in Washington D.C. to attend National Police Week, where Rob’s name will be added to the wall of fallen officers.
