TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Local police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty were honored in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
The Blue Knights of Indiana and Honor and Remember Inc. partnered to honor these officers by giving their family members remembrance flags. These flags were just small gestures to show the deep appreciation for those that gave it all for our safety.
Honoring the officers that have lost their lives on the line of duty is a bittersweet occasion. Those that knew these officers say they wish they were still around, however they will forever respect and honor their sacrifice for our safety.
For the families of the ones that were lost in the Terre Haute Police Department, they now have another token to forever remember them. Donald Finnegan is the Indiana director for Honor and Remember, and he explains what is special about these flags.
“And we personalize it, put the name, rank, date of death, and usually the department on the flag for them. So when we’re all gone, that flag remains as a symbol of ‘thank you’,” said Finnegan.
There were multiple officers honored in this ceremony that died decades ago. Bradley Utz, son of fallen officer James William Utz, expresses that he loves that ceremonies like this keep his father’s memory alive.
“The fact that they do things like that for the ones that made that sacrifice that long ago is nice. To have the memorial that they dedicated earlier this year our front that is befitting of the sacrifice and the fact that they brought us here and did things that are unique to individual and not just one big broad ceremony is special to us,” said Utz.
In the eyes of some, individual acknowledgements help to properly honor every officer that made the ultimate sacrifice.
“To have an event like this where each individual gets special time, it focuses on the guys that made their sacrifice a long time ago, and it is nice that they are not forgotten,” added Utz.
Honor and Remember are hoping to add a first responders call on their annual “Run for the Fallen” race this upcoming year.
