Officers of all stripes reflected on lost comrades during a service to mark International Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in St. John’s yesterday.
Service-goers entering the Seventh-day Adventist Church were greeted by the RNC’s Mounted Unit.
Inside, poignant remarks came from Justice Minister John Hogan and St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen.
Pastor John Murley, who delivered the homily, noted while he didn’t achieve his childhood dream of becoming a police officer, his son did.
Pastor John Murley
And it just so happens he is stationed in Fort McMurray, Alta.
“As you know the fires are taking place there and last night a worried family was at home, texting back and forth — Are you OK? Can you get out?” he related. “And the answer came back, We’re fine, but we can’t get out.
“And so I know what it’s like to be a family member now of an officer who wonders every single day, will they come home at the end of the day?”
Yesterday’s service marked the 23rd year the Seventh-day Adventist Church has hosted the memorial service for peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
It comes during national police week, and is meant to recognize the bravery and dedication of all who made the ultimate sacrifice.
