The Longmont Memorial honors Colorado police officers who died last year

Boulder police officer Bryan Plyter welcomes images of two officers killed in Colorado last year. Local law enforcement honored four Colorado officers who lost their lives in 2023 at the Peace Officer Memorial in Longmont on Wednesday. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Colorado officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year received a ceremonial farewell Wednesday at the Peace Officer Memorial in Longmont.

At the Longmont Civic Center, the 28th annual memorial ceremony featured speakers from the Longmont and Boulder police departments and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The event was coordinated by the Front Range Chaplains, a volunteer group committed to public safety in Longmont.

“Thank you for joining us today as we pause to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to serve and protect us,” Rick Ebbers, a member of the Front Range Chaplains, told the crowd Wednesday .

Ebbers explained the significance of the Longmont Memorial, which was erected just two days after a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C. to honor fallen officers across the country. Ebbers said the chaplains coordinate a local memorial service each year for families of the deceased Colorado officers who cannot come to the national ceremony.

“We come together this afternoon to recognize, remember and honor all the women and men in law enforcement who gave their lives in service in 2023,” Ebbers said. “We also pay tribute to the families of these fallen officers and pray that they and their sacrifice will not soon be forgotten.”

This year, four deceased officers from across the state were honored: Michael Moran of the Cortez Police Department; Christine Guerin-Sandoval of the Colorado Department of Corrections; Trinity Reinhart with U.S. Air Force Security Forces; and Julian Becerra of the Fountain Police Department.

Dave Cronk, a member of the Front Range Chaplains, led the vigil portion of the memorial service. Police officers lit candles standing in front of photos of the four Colorado officers who died last year.

“As we watch the flicker of these lit candles throughout the rest of the ceremony, remember those who were in the line of fire for us,” Cronk told guests.

Mayor Joan Peck also attended the ceremony and read a proclamation declaring May 12-18 National Police Week in Longmont and Wednesday Peace Officer Memorial Day.

“The members of the Longmont Police Department play an essential role in protecting the rights and freedoms of Longmont residents,” Peck said. “It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, dangers and sacrifices of their law enforcement agencies.”

Several speakers read prayers and poems, and musical interludes included the national anthem and a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.” A 21-gun salute was also fired outside in Civic Center Plaza.

“Since coming to Boulder in 2021, I have continued to be impressed and grateful for how we as law enforcement agencies in this region come together when one of us is in need,” said Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn.

Longmont Police Chief Jeff Satur acknowledged some recent cases in which officers were killed or injured in other states.

“Our officers and deputies face danger with courage and confront threats that many of us can barely comprehend, all in the name of protecting others,” Satur said.

Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson concluded the speeches with a discussion of the idea of ​​legacy – particularly the fact that police officers can impact the lives of people from many different parts of the same community.

“If we want to leave a legacy, be it personal or organizational or both, we need to have good, meaningful interactions with the community,” Johnson said. “And we have to find ways to leave an impression on their hearts.”