Around 25 people gathered at Evergreen Cemetery this afternoon to remember local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
“We have four from Juneau Police Department that were were killed. We also honor the troopers and the other police officers in other jurisdictions, like Hoonah. We’re here to place a wreath and remember their service and their sacrifice,” said Chief Bryce Johnson with the Juneau Police Department.
The earliest recorded police death in Juneau happened in 1964 when Chief of Detectives Donald Dull was accidentally shot by a court bailiff. In 1979, Officer Richard Adair and Officer Jimmy Kennedy were both ambushed by gunfire and died from their injuries. Officer Karl Reishus died in 1992 after trying to save two firefighters during a training accident.
At today’s ceremony, a wreath of flowers was placed on the grave site of Officer Richard Adair. Some of his family still live in Juneau. Lt. Kris Sell says coming together for Alaska’s Police Memorial Week is a way to remember the fallen officers but also reflect.
“There’s only one degree of separation between the fallen officers and those who walk the streets,” she says.
Another ceremony will be held tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School.