Pictured above is an image from a previous year’s Union County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. The 2021 event will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m. near the monument on the north lawn of the Union County Courthouse. (Journal-Tribune photo)
The public is being invited to attend this year’s Union County Law Enforcement Memorial at 7 p.m., Thursday, on the north lawn of the Union County Courthouse, 221 W. Fifth St.
“The Union County Law Enforcement Memorial – In the Line of Duty ceremony is a tribute to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community,” according to a release announcing the event.
The ceremony will take place around the memorial statue, which is a peace officer kneeling with a folded American flag. Officers, troopers, and deputies from all Union County Law Enforcement agencies will participate.
Last year, the annual event was held virtually. This year, organizers are eager to invite the public to return and, “attend the memorial ceremony to help honor the peace officers who have died in the line of duty and those who continue to protect and serve our great community.”
Face masks and social distancing are encouraged for the ceremony.
The lives of three Union County peace officers — Union County Sheriff Forest S. Hager, Sergeant Roger Beekman and Union County Sheriff Harry Wolfe — will be remembered at the ceremony.
Hager died Sept. 23, 1927, in the line of duty after his vehicle was hit by a train.
Beekman gave his life in service on Sept. 19, 1979, while responding to an alarm.
Wolfe was killed on Jan/ 21, 1982, while investigating a burglar alarm.
In conjunction with National Police Week, the Union County Courthouse will be lit with blue lights as part of the “Light Ohio Blue” statewide campaign.
“The blue lighting shows support for the law enforcement personnel who protect Ohio communities every day,” according to the release.
Officials note that citizens can show their support for law enforcement by changing their outside lights to blue this week.
Chief Dale McKee, of the Plain City Police Department, is this year’s master of ceremonies.
Lt. Kelly Weakley, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, will play “Taps” and the State Patrol honor guard will post the colors for the memorial.
Fire Inspector Jack Guyton, of the Concord Township Fire Department, will play the bagpipes during the ceremony.
McKee is entering his 25th year in law enforcement, all of which have been at the Plain City Police Department.
McKee graduated from the Delaware Area Career Center Law Enforcement Academy in June 1996. Soon after his graduation, he began his law enforcement career when he accepted an auxiliary position with the Plain City Police Department in August 1996.
“Even though the position was auxiliary, Chief McKee worked 40 hours a week while also working a full-time job elsewhere,” according to information about the event.
In 1997, McKee accepted a part-time position with the police department and in 1998 accepted a full-time position. McKee was promoted to sergeant with the department in 2004 and appointed Chief of Police in 2015.
McKee is an alumnus of the Police Executive Leadership College.
“He has also kept up with law enforcement’s ever-changing landscape by attending numerous leadership conferences and seminars through the years,” according to the release.
McKee works to find innovative ways to keep the citizens of Plain City engaged, “by having community-based events throughout the year.”
In February, Plain City Police Department earned state recognition for its outstanding community policing efforts.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Union County Veteran’s Memorial auditorium located at 233 W. Sixth St.