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Ten local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty since Colorado became a state in 1876 were remembered in Durango.<\/p>\n
A memorial walk in honor of the fallen officers took place Saturday morning as part of National Police Officer\u2019s Memorial Week.<\/p>\n
A parade, memorial service and community barbecue were part of the event, which attracted about 500 community members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been fortunate that it\u2019s been a number of years since we\u2019ve lost an officer, but it\u2019s something that happens quite frequently throughout the year somewhere,\u201d said Lieutenant Ed Aber of the La Plata County Sheriff\u2019s Office. \u201cSo it\u2019s an opportunity to reflect on a service that\u2019s provided.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event started with a parade of law enforcement vehicles from several departments up Main Avenue. The parade started at East College Drive and proceeded north to the Durango Community Recreation Center, where a memorial was held at the amphitheater.<\/p>\n
Of the ten officers who were honored, four were from La Plata County Sheriff\u2019s Office, two from Colorado State Patrol, one from Durango Police Department, one from Southern Ute Division of Gaming and one was an officer from the Secret Service. An officer from Cortez Police Department was also honored.<\/p>\n
A ribbon with the fallen officer\u2019s name was given to the chief of each department of the officer or presented to surviving family members.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just important to remember those officers who have died in the line of duty providing service to this community,\u201d Aber said. \u201cAnd we should never forget. We should always remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the memorial, guests walked with law enforcement down the Animas River Trail to pay respects to the fallen officers. The group walked to Rotary Park, where a community barbecue featuring food, T-shirts and bouncy castles, took place. There was also a poster with a brief description of each of the fallen officers and signs listing all the recently fallen officers from around the nation.<\/p>\n
Aber was pleased with the community attendance and engagement of the event, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat really is what makes Durango and La Plata County such a special place,\u201d he said. \u201cTo get that many people to come to an event is pretty big.\u201d<\/p>\n