Fallen officers honored

National Police Week occurs every May, and in 2023 there will be live, in-person events commemorating the week. In Cass County, on May 17, at the Cass County Law Enforcement and Justice Center, there was an event memorializing the fallen police officers from our area. Nationally, the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum will hold ceremonies, including the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil held on Saturday, May 13, to honor the fallen officers whose names have recently been added to the Memorial.

National Police Week began “in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.”

On Wednesday several people from Cass County showed up to the event to pay respects to the brave men who served our community as law enforcement.

The presentation of the Flag featured the Texas DPS Honor Guard. Tara Daugherty, Chief Deputy, of the District Clerk’s Office, and the Cass County Peace Officer Association, Treasurer, brought the event to order. Chaplain Dale Perkins from Texas DPS gave the invocation. Judge Gary Albertson, County Court at Law was the speaker of the event.

Amanda Hunt, the Deputy of the District Clerks’ Office, gave the tribute/reading of the names that had fallen. Chaplain Dale Perkins from Texas DPS gave the benediction. Josiah Hunt from Atlanta High School played TAPS on the trumpet.

The fallen officers honored were Charles F. Purdue, January 21, 1889, Constable Precinct 6, Cass County, Texas; L.F. Blackwell, July 31, 1937, Constable Precinct 5, Cass County, Texas, Howard Wayne Jordan, June 2, 1981, License and Weight Trooper, Texas Department of Public Safety; James Scott Burns, April 29, 2008, Highway Patrol Officer, Texas Department of Public Safety; and George Harold Whatley, Jr, October 10, 2008, Game Warden, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.