Police officers filled the rotunda of the Hays County Government Center on Wednesday. Taps played as the officers saluted in memorial the county’s, state’s and nation’s fallen officers in 2018.
The county held a memorial ceremony as May 15 is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The event was hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police, Hill Country Lodge #23.
Those honored at Wednesday’s memorial ceremony were Deputy Sheriff Henry Banks — Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Night Watchman Henry Joslin — Kyle Police Department, Deputy Sheriff John Davis Jr. — Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Trooper Randall W. Vetter — Texas Department of Public Safety and Officer Kenneth Copeland — San Marcos Police Department.
San Marcos Police Department patrol officer Daniel Duckworth salutes as a recording of taps is played.
Peace Officers Memorial Day began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that May 15 would serve as the day, and the week which it falls would be Police Week.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund preliminary report, 144 police officers were killed in the line of duty in 2018, which was a 12 percent increase from the previous year.
A memorial wreath was placed in the rotunda Wednesday. Red carnations were placed on it in memorial of fallen officers in 2018.
