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 In 2016, across the nation 143 officers died in the
line of duty. Last year, four Illinois officer names were added to
the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. and also in
the Illinois Police Officer Memorial in Springfield.
On their trek across the state this year, Officer Blake Snyder of
Missouri was honored at the Thursday stop in Godfrey. Illinois
Correctional Officer Adam Conrad was honored in Brighton. In Waverly
on Thursday, Officer Scot Fitzgerald was remembered and Trooper
Brian McMillen was remembered at the stop in Springfield.
On Friday, Chief Tommy Kent Martin was remembered at a stop in
Sherman and State Trooper Bernard Skeeters was recognized in
Williamsville.
At noon on Friday, Officer James Brockmeyer was remembered with
members of his family present, as well as fellow officers from the
Chester Police Department in Randolph County and participants who
were wearing Brockmeyer remembrance bracelets for the ride.
Megan, Don,
and Dixie Brockmeyer and Cathy Bowen
Family members present included Officer Brockmeyer’s mother and
father, Don and Dixie Brockmeyer, his sister Megan, and his aunt
Cathy Bowen.
Corporal Maurice Johnson of the Lincoln Police Department, and a
participant in the IL COPS Ride, led the service, reading the
account of circumstances that led to Brockmeyer’s “End of Watch,” on
October 28th, 2016.
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Brockmeyer, at the age of 22 had served 10 months with the
Chester Police Department, when in October he died while in pursuit of a suspect
who had a previous criminal record in the Randolph County area. Officer
Brockmeyer was involved in a vehicle crash and died as a result of his injuries.
At the end of the reading, the group observed a moment of silence in memory of
Officer Brockmeyer. The family also presented the IL COPS with a donation in
memory of their loved one.
With the memorial completed, the group began preparations to move on to their
next stop, a cooling break to be held in Atlanta.
The group spent Friday night in Normal, then rode to Romeoville on Saturday. On
Sunday they made stops at Burr Ridge where they remembered Fire Chief Edward
Switalski, in Oak Brook where they remembered Public Safety Officer Michael
Ventura of Wisconsin, and finally they would end their trip in Maywood where
they remembered Patrol Officer Jason Gallero.
The IL COPS is a 501c3 not for profit organization. They accept charitable
donations year round. Donations may be mailed to:
Concerns of Police Survivors-Cycle Across Illinois
P.O. Box 4312
Wheaton, IL 60189
[Nila Smith]
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