Bradley Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey pauses for a moment after placing the wreath at the Kankakee Area Law Enforcement Memorial near fallen Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic's name on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse. MORE PHOTOS.Â
Local law enforcement officers bow their heads for a moment of silence on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Tim Perry gives the memorial address Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse. Bradley Fire Department's Danielle Dugan, left, comforts Lyn Stua-Rittmanic during the speech.
Family of fallen Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, from left, Kathleen Rittmanic-Emme, Lyn Stua-Rittmanic and Jennifer Johnson Whitaker, bow their heads as they listen to the bagpipes perform "Amazing Grace" on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Bradley Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey holds his wife Sydney's hand as the bagpipes perform "Amazing Grace" on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Kankakee Police Chief Robin Passwater rings the bell as names of fallen law enforcement officers are read during the "Roll Call of Honor" on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Bradley Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey pauses for a moment after placing the wreath at the Kankakee Area Law Enforcement Memorial near fallen Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic's name on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse. MORE PHOTOS.Â
Local law enforcement officers bow their heads for a moment of silence on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Tim Perry gives the memorial address Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse. Bradley Fire Department's Danielle Dugan, left, comforts Lyn Stua-Rittmanic during the speech.
Family of fallen Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, from left, Kathleen Rittmanic-Emme, Lyn Stua-Rittmanic and Jennifer Johnson Whitaker, bow their heads as they listen to the bagpipes perform "Amazing Grace" on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Bradley Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey holds his wife Sydney's hand as the bagpipes perform "Amazing Grace" on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Kankakee Police Chief Robin Passwater rings the bell as names of fallen law enforcement officers are read during the "Roll Call of Honor" on Thursday during the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse.
Law enforcement officers and their families from across the county were joined by the community Thursday to honor Kankakee County’s fallen.
The annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony began with the presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem as attendees surrounded the Kankakee Area Law Enforcement Memorial on the lawn of the Kankakee County Courthouse.
The 17 names engraved on the wall are read each year during the Roll Call of Honor and a bell is rung in their remembrance.
Last year, two names were added to the roll call.
Momence Police Officer Troy Jacobson, end of watch Dec. 10, 2020.
Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, end of watch Dec. 30, 2021.
The most recent, Rittmanic, was shot and killed after answering a late night call at the Comfort Inn in Bradley on Dec. 29, 2021.
Her partner, Sgt. Tyler Bailey, who was seriously wounded in the same incident, placed the wreath at the foot of the memorial wall Thursday morning.
The solemn event is held each year during National Police Week, which occurs during the week of National Peace Officers Day on May 15 to pay special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
According to the FBI’s recent release of statistics, 118 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2022. So far in 2023, 22 law enforcement officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Tiffany has been a photojournalist with the DJ since 2014 & Photo Editor since 2018. She covers everything from daily news, sports and Lifestyles magazine shoots. A Herscher grad, Tiffany received her B.A. in Journalism at Southern Illinois University.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.