Law enforcement medal of honor ceremony

The medal of honor ceremony — for law enforcement officers who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty — started off with a quote from Winston Churchill: He “once said that all great things are simple and many can be expressed in single words: justice, honor, duty, and I would add courage.”

After the bagpipe procession,Patti Lankford, a retired Washington State Patrol Officer, sang the national anthems of the U.S. and Canada to the crowd of hundreds of officers, family members and others in the audience. During the prayer, John Roberts, pastor at Moses Lake Christian Church, prayed for the officers who have been killed and wounded and said their service is honorable.

Lewis Co. Chief Chandra Brady: “It goes without saying that 2009 was a horrific year for law enforcement. In Washington state, we lost seven men and women,” she said. “The names here on this memorial, these names are our reality. These men and women suited up everyday, just like you and I, to make a difference.” She said the officers’ attendance today was a testament that a difference has been made. She said she challenged everyoene to remember the officers, their families and their agencies.

Now, for the “roll call of honor” — the reading aloud of each officer’s name. The officers who died in duty are:

Deputy Stephen (Mike) Gallagher, Jr., Lewis Co. Sheriff’s Office

Officer Timothy Q. Brenton, Seattle Police Department

Sergeant Mark J. Renninger, Lakewood Police Department

Officer Tina G. Griswold, Lakewood Police Department

Officer Ronald W. Owens III, Lakewood Police Department

Officer Gregory J. Richards, Lakewood Police Department

Deputy W. Kent Mundell, Jr., Pierce Co. Sheriff’s Department

Now, Gov. Chris Gregoire will speak. Continue to read after the jump.

“It’s an honor for me to be here to thank all of you,” she said. “Today, we reflect on the most difficult year for our law enforcement community in memory.” She said the 16 officers being honored answered the call of duty in the most dangerous of situations. “I know how difficult it has been for our law enforcement community,” she said, of the deadliest year for law enforcement here in 70 years. “All of the men and women we honor did their duty,” she said, “they answered when people were in need.” She read a proclamation honoring the officers, in which she proclaimed the May 9-15 law enforcement recognition week in Washington.

Now, Attorney General Rob McKenna: “As the son of a career law enforcement officer … this is a very, very special day for me,” he said. He said he recently spoke to a graduating class of reserve officers who, since November, have seen 60 law enforcement officers killed across the country. “It was remarkable at that graduation ceremony to witness their courage and determination,” he said. “It is that same courage and determination that Washingtonians have witnessed firsthand from all of our officers” in the state, he said. “What marks this last year in my mind is not so much tragedy but courage” and resiliency.

Tags: Lakewood, medal of honor, memorial