Elkhart police hold annual Peace Officers Memorial Service

ELKHART — An annual Peace Officers Memorial Service on Wednesday in Kardzhali Park recognized fallen officers as well as the daily sacrifices of the law enforcement community.

Each May, the Elkhart Police Department joins law enforcement organizations across the country in honoring fallen officers.

“Peace Officers Memorial Day is a way for us to honor officers who have given their lives and service to the community,” Chief of Police Dan Milanese said. “This is a way to make sure their names aren’t lost.”

The service this year took place on Peace Officers Memorial Day. It was one of the many remembrances happening across the country during National Police Week.

Milanese made opening remarks to kick off the service and then introduced the main speaker, Phil Byars, pastor of First Baptist Church of Elkhart.

“In my opinion, you are not so far off from what our Lord Jesus Christ said to the citizens of the earth when he put his life on the line for our salvation,” Byars said.

Byars cited John 15:13, which says there is no greater love than one man laying his life down for his friends. He said if the officers lay down their lives in service for their community, the community should love them back.

Assistant Chief of Police Andrew Whitmyer read the list of fallen officers throughout the Elkhart Police Department’s history: Willard Burton, Orren Shemadine, Henry Wentz, Douglas Adams and Michael Swygart.

“For me personally, this is an honor,” Milanese said. “This is the biggest honor we can give. We have officers who gave their lives to the service of their community. There’s no higher price than that.”