CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bagpipes, songs and prayers echoed through the WV Culture Center Tuesday as tribute was paid to more than 200 officers killed in the line of duty in the Mountain State.
The annual ceremony began in the Grand Hall and concluded with the laying of a wreath on the Fallen Partner Memorial.
“These are folks who run toward mayhem when others are running away,” said WV Dept. of Military and Public Safety Secretary Joe Thornton, who spoke at the ceremony. “We owe them gratitude, we owe them respect and we owe them honor for the role that they’ve filled in the name of public safety.”
Sgt. Joseph Portaro, who died unexpectedly earlier this year at the West Virginia State Police Academy in Institute following a medical emergency, was mentioned by name in the ceremony. Other family members of those who had lost their lives in the line of duty attended as well.
“Anything that remembers and honors our police officers, whether it’s my son or any other, is very important to me,” said Beverly Jones who lost her son Jerry. “I don’t want my son’s memory to be lost, and I’m sure other families feel the same way.”
Several State Troopers were on hand for the ceremony. Spokesman Lt. Michael Baylous said he remembers fallen officers each time he walks through the Hall of Honor at the State Police Academy in Institute.
“Portraits are hung up of every trooper who gave their lives in the line of duty. It’s very humbling and very emotional to walk through that hallway every day,” Baylous said. “You see those faces, and you remember and you appreciate how much that they sacrificed so we can enjoy our lives. You think of their families and how much they sacrificed as well.”
The WV Treble Makers sang the National Anthem, “You Raise Me Up,” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” as a procession led outside to the Fallen Partner Memorial.
Two prayers were led by Cpl. Jim Mitchell, the chaplain of the WV State Police.
“It’s very important that we have ceremonies like this and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Baylous said.
A total of 207 officers have been killed in the line of duty in West Virginia, a number that Baylous said was sobering, but better than many other states.
“We’re very fortunate here in West Virginia,” he said. “People still have a lot of respect for law enforcement. That still doesn’t change how serious and how dangerous this job can be.”