Hundreds of police officers and community members gathered Wednesday to memorialize 26 police officers who died in the line of duty in Akron’s city limits since 1916.
Akron Police Chief James Nice thanked the fallen officers in an address to the crowd.
“It is so important to celebrate the noble acts these men performed. They were ordinary men who went to extraordinary lengths to protect and to serve,” he said. “Today and every day, I salute our 26 fallen heroes and you, Akron’s guardians in blue.”
He said police officers are the ones who run toward danger rather than away from it.
“Sadly,” he said, “not all of them go home.”
The memorial service, held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Akron’s Wolter Park, included a three-volley salute by the Akron Police Honor Guard, a performance by the Western Reserve Academy String Quartet, prayer led by the Rev. Bob Denton and taps performed by Cleveland Police Pipes and Drums. Family members of fallen officers were honored and received flowers.
Frank Williams, president of the police union, told the crowd that police put their lives on the line every day.
“Every day, our officers kiss their spouses and their children in the morning, not sure if they’ll be coming home,” Williams said. “We will never forget our brothers in blue.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.