Fallen officers honored at lakeside memorial service

Law enforcement officers, their families, local dignitaries and members of the community gathered in Shepard Park this morning to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of service. Several dozen people attended the 9 a.m. ceremony, which concludes the inaugural Law Enforcement Officers Weekend event in Lake George. Nearly 100 officers and their families, some coming from as far away as Maryland and Illinois, arrived in Lake George Friday to attend LEO Weekend events.

Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais opened the service saying, “This has been a great, great weekend for Lake George and a great weekend, we hope, for participants. Certainly, it’s been the most memorable, gratifying, event that I’ve ever taken part in since I’ve been here.” Blais, Village Mayor since 1971, was once an officer with the Lake George police and a Warren County Deputy Sheriff.

Glens Falls High School student Sean Pettis, who is a member of the elite Macy’s Great American Band, performed the “Star Spangled Banner” on saxophone, and members of the NYS Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band filed onto the stage playing The Minstrel Boy. Caldwell Presbyterian Church Pastor Ali Trowbridge gave an opening prayer.

“We gather this morning to grieve the loss and to celebrate the lives of law enforcement officers who gave their lives to preserve public safety, a sacrifice not only for New York but for our entire nation,” said Trowbridge. “It is my honor and my privilege to welcome all of you, the families and loved ones of the fallen to our beautiful Village of Lake George where the sun rises behind the quiet mountains on this bright and hopeful morning as we give thanks for their good and faithful lives and hear again the promises of God.”

memorial service law enforcement officers weekend
The NYS Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band played at the LEO Weekend memorial service.

NY State Police Chaplain Deacon Tim McAuliffe addressed those gathered in Shepard Park with a speech directed to young law enforcement officers. He spoke about the changes he has seen in the job since he first entered the field in 1966. He noted technology has made highway traffic stops safer as the old “gumball” style squad car lights, that would fly off at high speeds and stop spinning in cold temperatures, have been replaced by bars of lights that shone like Christmas trees.

However, “Police officers and peace officers have to be smarter today than the Mayor (Blais) and I had to be during our police careers.” Most officers now need a college degree, he noted.

McAuliffe used the biblical story of the Roman Centurion Cornelius to illustrate qualities needed to be a good officer. “… (Cornelius) was a good man. He was a man who was generous and kind to the local people. He didn’t just do his job, which was the police job of the day, he really extended himself. .. He had a conscience and he followed it.”

The memorial service concluded with NYPD Officer Austin Glickman reading a roll call of the fallen in 2017. “What I’m about to do now is a sad moment. Unfortunately, as you can see, we have a bouquet of roses to my left, to your right, there’s 50 roses in total that represents the 50 law enforcement officers that have given their lives in the line of duty in 2017. What I’m going to do now is read the names of the departed and the department that they worked for:”

The families of Trooper Brian S. Falb and Deputy Chief James Molloy were guests of LEO Weekend. Both officers passed this year from 9/11 related illnesses. Mayor Blais presented each family with a memorial plaque.  LEO Weekend has established a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of bringing Blue Star families to Lake George for the event.

memorial service law enforcement officers weekend
Families of NY fallen officers Trooper Brian S. Falb and Deputy Chief James Molloy are recognized at a memorial service in Shepard Park.

Yesterday, an estimated 200 bikers, motorcycle officers and their supporters, rode into Lake George on the 6th Blue Friday and Blue Knights Annual Fallen Officer’s Memorial Ride. The bikers left the Albany area at noon and arrived in Lake George shortly before 2:30 p.m. This year’s ride was in honor of Trooper Tim Pratt, who was killed in a traffic accident last fall. People holding signs and flags lined Canada Street to welcome the bikers. “We want them to know there’s hard times out there, and people support them,” says Josh Clark, who came up from Gansevoort to show support for the ride.

LEO Weekend was conceived by Austin Glickman who saw the need for an officer retreat, a weekend when those in law enforcement can “…try to clear their minds of all the stress at their departments.”  The event features social activities, seminars and friendly competitions.

Glickman says the first LEO Weekend was, “…unbelievable – better than expected.” Plans are underway for the 2nd Annual LEO Weekend in Lake George, which is scheduled for June 15, 16 and 17, 2018. The GoFundMe page will remain open for anyone who wishes to support this effort.

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