The Creek County Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Service was held Saturday, May 20, at 2 p.m., at the Courthouse Plaza. According to one of the organizers, Brooke Delong, this memorial service was first conducted in 2002.
This year a stage was set up on the east side of the Sheriff’s office building in the Courthouse parking lot with chairs that were provided by Green Hills Funeral Home.
The emcee of this year’s service was Kristen Weaver, Weekend Anchor on KOTV, Channel Six News.
Ms. Weaver opened the memorial service by welcoming those in attendance and introducing Father Keith Fallis, Vicar of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Chaplain for the State Fraternal Order of Police.
Before leading the opening prayer, Father Fallis said a few words to the audience:
“Before I start, I would like to tell you why we are here: it is the sacrifice that the families have given to this community, the loved ones who they loved, that served here and made a difference in our community. So e There is no loss here, it is because they chose to do what they did. That is every man and woman in uniform, they do the same thing, they give of themselves to the community, so let us pray together.”
There was a presentation of the Color Guard after the opening prayer followed by Ms. Weaver leading the Pledge of the Allegiance.
A local duo, the 8th Street Band, sang a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, after which Tulsa Pipe and Drums performed a heartfelt medley of patriotic songs.
Ms. Weaver then introduced the guest speaker, the Honorable Shannon-Bears- Cozzoni, Criminal Chief Justice, U.S. Attorney’s office, Northern District, Oklahoma:
“She is the Criminal Chief Of Indian Country for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Shannon has been with the District Attorney’s Office Since 2011, she is also the designated contact for domestic violence and for violence against women, and She previously served as Tribal Liaison. Shannon was part of the Presidential Task Force for the protection of Native children back in 2019 and 2020.
Before she worked for the Department of Justice, Shannon was the First Assistant Attorney General for the Muscogee Nation. At the Nation, she was primarily responsible for drafting legislation, economic development, as well as gaming matters. While she was at the Nation, she served on the Violence Against Women Task Force.
Before she worked for the Creek Nation, she was an Assistant DA for Creek and Okfuskee Counties, this is her area.
Shannon obtained her B.A. from Austin college back in 1993. And her J. D. (Juris Doctorate) in 1996. Please, welcome Shannon.”
Ms. Cozzoni began by thanking Sheriff Bowling for inviting her to speak at the somber occasion.
She said it was good to be back in Creek County: “It’s really good to be back to Creek County, it is where I became a prosecutor. I look around and see a lot of friendly faces, some whom I have known who were children are now law enforcement today.”
Here are excerpts from her speech:
“Today we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, who laid down their lives for the citizens of their community. It is important to honor those in law enforcement.
“Paying respect helps us bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. Gaps in some cities across this nation are really more like canyons.
“Across the Nation, there are declining qualified applicants for much-need law enforcement positions. There are organized efforts to attack our police, there are a lot of Monday Morning Quarterbacks.
“It takes a special person to want to protect their community, with little pay and a lot of criticism.
What can we do to help bridge the gap? To help show the respect for law enforcement they deserve?
“First, support, you are doing it here today. Be a supportive member of law enforcement in your community. When you’re at those community events, visit law enforcement booths, stop by to see the new equipment.
“Participate in sponsored events such as drug takebacks and toy drives. When you are walking past police officers when you are entering gas stations or stores, don’t turn away, don’t try to avoid them, they are people, treat them like people of the community.”
Ms. Cozzoni concludes by saying:
“Be patient, be kind to everyone, no matter who they are. When cooler heads prevail, less violence will occur. When less violence occurs, we have less risk to our law enforcement partners. Support, be patient, and be kind, let’s make our community a safer place, and let’s end the names on that wall.”
The following is the list of law enforcement officers who read the roll call of fallen officers:
Sheriff Bret Bowling; Deputy Chief Rob Glenn- SPD; Lieutenant Vern Wilson-OHP; Chief Shawn Gibson-Drumright PD, and Chief Jerry Ridley-Mannford PD.
After the roll call there was a gun salute, followed by the Creek County Sheriff Honor Guard playing Taps, which was followed by Tulsa Pipe and Drums playing Amazing Grace. The last part of the service was handing a rose to each family member of a fallen officer to be placed on the memorial, and the closing prayer that Father Keith Fallis led.
The memorial monuments were provided by Eagle Peak Monuments.
