Community gathers to honor fallen officers and support the family left behind

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — It was a week of remembrance as city leaders, police officers and the community across Michiana honored the lives of fallen officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

In Mishawaka, the families of fallen officers sat before the Fallen Officers Monument outside the Mishawaka Police Department on May 15 honoring the lives of four officers who were killed in the line of duty: Corporal James Szuba (Jan. 9, 2010), Corporal Thomas Roberts (Dec. 13, 2003), Patrolman Bryan Verkler (Dec. 13, 2003) and Patrolman Clarence Casper (June 10, 1930) and K9 Ricky (Jan. 9, 2010).

Mishawaka Police Department’s Chief of Police Kenneth Witkowski spoke about the weight and responsibility of the badge. He called law enforcement the guardians of our streets, the defenders of justice and the model of selflessness.

“We gather not only to mourn their loss, but to celebrate their lives, their courage and their unwavering dedication to serving and protecting this community,” he said to the gathered crowd. “Everyday, law enforcement around the world put on their uniform not knowing what challenges they might face but are always ready to confront the danger head on.”

For him, the annual memorial service is for the families left behind. Years following their deaths, he said, it still hits home.

"I was here when we lost these guys and our K9," he said.

He said to the families of fallen officers, “Your loved ones will always be remembered as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice.”

Debbie Szuba, the wife of fallen Corporal James Szuba, talked about her favorite memory of her husband and their dog, Ricky: fishing. It was just regular fish and bluegill, she said. Corporal Szuba and Ricky were killed on Jan. 9, 2010 while assisting a pursuit. According to Mishawaka Police, a drunken driver sideswiped Szuba's squad car after swerving around another vehicle at an intersection. Szuba was transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and died upon arrival.

As a K9, Ricky was part of the Szuba family and was very special to them. Debbie couldn’t remember when they got him.

“It felt like forever,” she said. “At home, he was a regular dog. When it was time to go to work, he went to work and he turned into a K9,” she said.

She remembered Ricky as loving.“He loved kittens,” she said. “When we had them, he would always check on them. He would poke his little nose in there and sniff on them.”

The City of Mishawaka's commitment is to never forget the fallen. Mayor Dave Wood called it his most sacred duty and the Fallen Officers Monument the most sacred monument in the city.

“It sits strategically here at the heart of our city government, in the center of our city and near the site of our founding 191 years ago. We hold it dear," he said at the memorial. "I can promise you that our fallen officers and their ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten by this city, not now, not ever."

The revered monument will receive a new addition on the charcoal gray pedestal, Wood said. Local sculptor Dave Layman will create a bronze sculpture of a bald eagle. It’s symbolic of American strength, courage, freedom and immortality to stand watch over the badge and the fallen officers memorial, he said.

The memory of the fallen officers is forever on the minds and hearts of the current police force. Witkowski said the memorial is purposely placed in front of the police department to remember the fallen officers.

“As we hire new rookies, we bring them out here and make sure they see this," he said. "I want them to see what these people gave. They gave their life for this community. We honor them everyday. Every chance we get.”

As the community continues to remember the sacrifices made, Richard Freeman, President of Fraternal Order of Police #91, discussed looking to the past as examples of sacrifice.

"This is a reality of this profession," he said. "No one wants to come in and not go home, but we’re prepared to die for our brethren to the right and left of us.”

Witkowski said he keeps his composure knowing the risk every officer faces on the job.

He described getting dressed for work and putting on a vest.

“Your whole demeanor changes," he said. "Your whole mindset changes.”

After 36 years of service, Witkowski said, he loves the job. Though he called it serious business, he said, “I’ll do it for another 36."

On May 17, South Bend Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski quoted President John F. Kennedy, who proclaimed “National Police Week" and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962, saying, "Being a police officer is more than what they do, it is who they are."

Kennedy also said to thank someone who makes a difference in your life. Ruszkowski said you never know if the cop you thank or talk to will be one of the over 16,000 a year, on average, who have been assaulted. So far this year, he said, 59 police officers have died in the line of duty nationally.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodges #36 and #155 gathered among community leaders and residents to honor the life of one fallen officer from St. Joseph County Police Department and the lives of 15 fallen officers from the South Bend Police Department:

■ Officer Oscar W. Christensen: Tuesday, May 11, 1897; Gunfire (Inadvertent)

■ Patrolman Lewis Keller: Friday, Feb. 25, 1898; Gunfire

■ Patrolman Samuel Cooper: Thursday, Nov. 1, 1900: Gunfire

■ Patrolman Hans B. Brandt: Sunday, June 18, 1916; Gunfire

■ Patrolman Fred E. Buhland: Monday, Jan. 10, 1921; Gunfire

■ Patrolman Neil McIntyre: Tuesday, Dec. 25, 1923; Motorcycle crash

■ Patrolman Lloyd L. Thompson: Saturday, Feb. 27, 1932; Vehicle pursuit

■ Patrolman Delbert Thompson: Saturday, May 27, 1933; Gunfire

■ Patrolman Charles E. Farkas, Sr.: Saturday, May 27, 1933; Gunfire

■ Patrolman Howard C. Wagner: Saturday, June 30, 1934; Gunfire

■ Patrolman Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.: Saturday, Aug. 19, 1967; Motorcycle crash

■ Corporal Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.: Thursday, Nov. 14, 1974; Gunfire

■ Corporal Paul Richard Deguch: Sunday, Aug. 24, 1997; Gunfire

■ Corporal Scott Lee Severns: Sunday, April 23, 2006; Gunfire

■ Corporal Nick Samuel Polizzotto: Tuesday, April 24, 2007; Gunfire

Ruszkowski said the term “ultimate sacrifice” has more than one meaning as he spoke before a crowd at the South Bend and St. Joseph County Police Memorial Service.

"Sacrifice also means officers, deputies, agents, troopers and agents still here to carry on. They and their families sacrifice holidays, birthdays, sporting events," Ruszkowski explained. "For an officer who's died in the line of duty, it's a noble and honorable declaration."

He encouraged the community to remember the family's sacrifice and called their sacrifice the "ultimate sacrifice," who still live with the physical and emotional loss and toll. He said all families worry constantly, such as his mother when his father joined the SBPD in 1967, if their loved ones will or won't make it back home.

Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Bravery and sacrifice honored of officers who died in line of duty