Miami County said “thank you” to its fallen police officers and those who serve daily during the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service held May 1 at the county Courthouse Plaza.

The ceremony included prayers, a poem, music and comments on service and sacrifice by those who serve and their families.

A roll call and recognition ceremony also was conducted for eight officers whose lives have been lost in the county between 1917 and today. During the roll call, family members of the fallen placed flowers at the base of the memorial as names were read.

The last death was in 2019 when Motor Career Enforcement Inspector Kimra Skelton of the Ohio State Highway Patrol died March 17 when her vehicle was struck on Interstate 75 at Troy.

“We are thankful we made it through another year without adding to the list,” said Jeff Waite, a Troy police sergeant and president of Miami County FOP Lodge 58.

"The job of a law enforcement officer has never been easy,” he said. “The men and women who wear the badge put their lives on the line every day in the interest of preserving peace, protecting the innocent and enforcing the laws.”

The guest speaker was Johnathan Newman of Troy. He is pastor of a Troy church and a candidate for state representative this fall.

He said that while there are those who no longer honor police officers and their families, there is support locally.

“We want you all to know that here in our community, we honor our law enforcement officers. We are thankful for you, and we stand with you. You are not alone,” Newman said.

Those honored during the roll call of officers were (with date of death):

·         Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector Kimra Skelton, Ohio State Highway Patrol, March 17, 2019

·         Sgt. Robert Elliott, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Feb. 25, 1987

·         Det. Robert Taylor, Piqua Police Department, Nov. 3, 1982

·         Sgt. William Morris, Sheriff’s Office, Nov. 22, 1972

·         Ptlm. Jan Mulder, Piqua Police Department, Aug. 11, 1970

·         Lt. Noah Studebaker, Piqua Police Department, Oct. 17, 1957

·         Ptlm. George Eickmeyer, Tipp City Police Department, Sept. 17, 1945

·         Marshal Harvey Hake, Covington Police Department, Jan. 12, 1917.

Their names are listed on the memorial dedicated in 1999 on the Courthouse Plaza.