WASHINGTON, DC - The solemn process of adding more fallen officers to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial began anew Tuesday, as the names of Prince George's County (MD) Police Sergeant Richard Findley and six others who died in the line of duty were etched on the Memorial's marble walls during the annual Engraving Day ceremony.
Family members, friends and co-workers of Sergeant Findley were on hand to witness his name being engraved on Panel 6-West, Line 27, of the Memorial, located in Washington, DC's Judiciary Square. He is among 387 officers whose names are being engraved this spring on the Memorial, which was dedicated in 1991 as the nation's monument to fallen law enforcement officers.
"Each April, we face the solemn but necessary ritual of engraving more names on this memorial to courage, honor and selflessness," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the NLEOMF. "While this year's Engraving Day ceremony salutes Sergeant Findley in particular, it symbolically commemorates the service and sacrifice of all of the men and women who have given their lives throughout history for the safety and protection of their fellow Americans."
Last June 27, then-Corporal Findley was part of a team of officers attempting to stop and arrest the occupants of a stolen vehicle in Laurel. Corporal Findley was intentionally struck and killed by the driver as he tried to flee police. The police department posthumously promoted the 10-year law enforcement veteran to the rank of sergeant.
"Police officers dedicate their lives to working in an occupation where life and death too often meet. Sergeant Findley unfortunately lost his life while serving as a protector to the residents of Prince George's County," said Police Chief Roberto Hylton. "His life and death will be remembered by current and future generations of our police employees. We appreciate what he did to serve our community," the Chief said.
The 387 names being added this year include 133 officers who were killed in 2008 and 254 who died in previous years but whose stories had previously been lost to history. Engraving of these names will continue over the next two weeks, at which time there will be a total of 18,661 fallen officers commemorated on the Memorial. All 387 newly engraved names will be formally dedicated on the Memorial during the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13.
In addition to Sergeant Findley, the names of six other officers were engraved Tuesday on Panel 6-West, Line 27, of the Memorial. Two of them were killed in 2008: Deputy Juan Escalante of the Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Office was fatally shot last August 2 when he was confronted by two armed gang members in front of his home as he prepared to leave for work; and Pell City (AL) Police Officer Kenneth Surles died last July 4, three weeks after his patrol car was struck by a tractor trailer.
In addition, four historical cases were added to the Memorial on Tuesday: Patrolman Irving Baker, Warren (OH) Police Department, who died on January 6, 1933; Private John Fox, Texas Rangers, November 16, 1859; Deputy W.H. Kelly, Trinity County (TX) Sheriff's Office, April 24, 1911; and Special Agent Dirk Miller, Army Criminal Investigative Command, December 12, 1985.
Engraving of officers' names will continue through the end of April. Reporters interested in the engraving of other officers' names may contact Kevin Morison, (202) 737-7134 or [email protected], for details.
