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Inspecting, reflecting for cops
May 16, 2009
By Charles M. Bartholomew, Post-Tribune correspondent
VALPARAISO -- Rain
couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of citizens who showed up for the annual police
memorial and inspection day at the Porter County Sheriff's Department on Friday
morning. "This is our way of
saying thanks for you guys sacrificing for us day in and day out. It's the least
we can do," said Christine Whit of Valparaiso, an emergency medical technician
and Porter County Animal Shelter volunteer who was one of the first to arrive. The rain moved in
after the 10 a.m. inspection, which had 70 patrol cars, detectives' and unmarked
vehicles, and a four-wheel pickup occasionally used on patrol duty, lined up in
the parking lot and accompanied by uniformed officers. "Our shift supervisors
do monthly inspections of the officers and their vehicles, but this is the time
when we pull out all the stops," Sheriff David Lain said. Valparaiso and Portage
police and Indiana state troopers participated. Inspectors with
clipboards made the rounds, checking engines under the hoods of the Crown
Victorias and examining rifles, fire extinguishers, portable scales and other
gear stowed neatly in the trunks. "This isn't supposed
to be fun," Lain said to a patrolman bantering with his superior, who checked
out his boots, handcuffs and polished brass. Flags at half-staff
and seating set up in front of the the Sheriff's Department building on Indiana
49 became soaked by rain. Organizers hastily moved the ceremony to the nearby
4-H Exhibit Hall of the Porter County Expo Center after the public began to
arrive. "We have three of our
men to remember, as well as thousands across the country. They made the ultimate
sacrifice, because it was the right thing to do," Lain said, recalling the names
of three Porter County deputies whose pictures were on the front of the program. * Edward J. Blakely,
who was shot to death responding to a call at Lake Eliza in 1961. * Timothy L. Hecht,
who died during a SWAT team training exercise in 1999. * Robert R. Hardesty,
who had left the department to join the FBI before he died in a SWAT team
training accident in 2005. Keynote speaker
William Hanna, executive director of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development
Authority and a former guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, told the
deputies they have "a special charge in life." "You balance a
tremendous amount of power with extending compassion when it is needed," Hanna
said. "Not everyone can do that."Michael McArdle/Post-Tribune Porter County Police
Capt. Tom Henderson (left) inspects the gun of Officer Matthew Boone during
inspections Friday at the police department .Michael McArdle/Post-Tribune Porter County police
officers stand at attention Friday during a memorial for fallen officers at the
Porter County Expo Center.
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