Brooke DeLong
Photos by Tami McKenney
After having to cancel last years’ service due to inclement weather, this year’s ceremony was held under a beautiful sunset as the Creek County’s Law Enforcement Memorial took place Thursday evening. A crowd of law enforcement officers, family members of the slain and members of the community gathered to pay their respects during National Police Week at the Creek County Law Enforcement Memorial located near the Creek County Courthouse in Sapulpa.
The air was filled with the somber sound of bagpipes played by Tulsa Pipes and Drums while the group marched down Dewey Avenue, followed by Sapulpa officers carrying the colors and the Honor Guard from the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, ending at the Memorial. The ceremony was opened in prayer by Deputy and Chaplain Terry Dashner, pledge of allegiance and The National Anthem sung by Amanda Foyil, President of Oklahoma State FOP Auxiliary.
Naomi Keitt with FOX23 News emcee’d the event and Associate District Judge Laura Farris was the guest speaker. She said the word that comes to her mind after personally working with officers for most of her career is “sacrifice.” She went on to say while some people may think officers choose their line of work for power, she believes it is the desire to serve and protect their community. Their profession deeply affects their role as parents, spouse and friend because of always being mentally and physically alert and ready.
Mannford Police Chief Lucky Miller was honored as he lost his life in 2019. His name was the last read from the roll call by Mannford’s Interim Police Chief Jerry Ridley, the crowd grew silent as he had trouble saying Chief Miller’s end of watch. The honorable Farris said the late Police Chief was “small in stature but had a huge personality” and used his skills for his community and his sacrifice will always be remembered. Chief Miller’s wife, children, parents and sister were present.
A total of twenty-seven officers are engraved on the granite monument, including two officers added recently: Police Chief Lucky Miller from Mannford and William H. Johnston with Bristow Police. Names from the roll call were read by Creek County Sheriff Bret Bowling, Sapulpa Police Chief Mike Reed, Oklahoma Highway Patrol State Trooper Bobby Raines, Bristow’s Chief of Police Kendra Raney and Mannford Chief of Police Jerry Ridley. The family of each officer were escorted to the monument by an officer and laid a red rose at the foot of the monument to honor their loved one.
Dylan Wilson played “Taps“ and there was a gun salute by Creek County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Agencies present were the Police Departments from Bristow, Depew, Drumright, Kellyville, Mannford, Sapulpa, Oilton, Mounds, Kiefer, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the District Attorney Investigators.
President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week the day falls on, National Police Week. This is a time to recognize officers who lost their life in the line of duty serving and protecting their community. It’s also a time to thank the officers who choose to put their lives on the line.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
See photos of the memorial below.
