THPD and VCSO honor fallen officers with ceremony
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Friday, the Terre Haute community came together to honor city and county law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Every year, the Terre Haute Police Department (THPD) and Vigo County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) gather to honor 20 fallen police officers from the community.
'They gave the ultimate sacrifice for our community. For their brothers, their sisters, in law enforcement. For family members,' said THPD Lieutenant Justin Sears.
During the ceremony, officers were commemorated through prayer, a ceremonial flag folding, a 21-gun salute and a performance of taps. Then the name of each officer and their end of watch date were read out loud to honor their life and community involvement.
'When someone lays their life down for a fellow officer, for a community member, we owe it to them. It's just that simple. We owe it to them, we owe it to their families to remember their legacy, the work they did, the sacrifices they made,' said VCSO Sheriff Derek Fell.
It's been over one hundred years since the first fallen officer, but Lieutenant Sears says they are all as equally important.
'There is 20 names we read off today,14 of that from the Terre Haute Police Department, as early as the late 1800s. And, their all as equally important. Equally important to the Terre Haute Police Department and equally important to the Vigo County Sheriff's Office,' said Lieutenant Sears.
For Sheriff Fell and Lieutenant Sears, these fallen officers weren't just coworkers, they were friends.
'Three of the city officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, I knew each of them… So it definitely hits home. And I think it does from many of us who have been around and serving for a number of years,' said Sheriff Fell.
'The three statues behind me, Greg, Rob, Brent, are three very good friends of mine. So, it hits home every single day. Especially just coming into work, you see the statues of your friends, but know that they were excellent officers. Some of the best I've ever seen,' said Lieutenant Sears.
Today wasn't just about honoring these heroes in our community, Sheriff Fell said, it's about never forgetting them.
'It's a way for us to say thank you again for those who have lost their lives protecting our community. It's also a way to let the family members know, who have lost loved ones, we are still here for you, we have not forgotten about your loved one, and we will never forget about them,' said Sheriff Fell.
Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun was also in attendance and read a proclamation declaring next week Police Week to honor our local law enforcement officials.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
New York's Prisons Were in Crisis. Did Hochul Do Enough to Fix Them?
In response to crises inside New York State's prisons, Gov. Kathy Hochul said this winter that swift action in Albany would hold corrections officers accountable and keep inmates safer. In the legislative session that ended Wednesday, the governor directed $400 million to increase camera coverage in prisons. She replaced the head of the prison where an inmate had been savagely beaten to death and ordered reviews of 'safety gaps' in several lockups and assessments of their operating cultures. But she has not committed to signing a package of bills meant to increase prison oversight that originated with reform-minded lawmakers. Criminal justice advocates and some legislators were also left disappointed that she has not championed measures that would increase the chances for inmates to gain early release and make it easier to discipline officers. They accuse Ms. Hochul of prioritizing expedient and incremental policies to court moderate voters as she gears up for re-election next year. 'As public servants, we have to lead with a great deal of courage and moral clarity,' Emily Gallagher, a Democratic assemblywoman who represents parts of North Brooklyn, said of the governor. 'There is a tension between good policy that protects all residents of New York State,' added Ms. Gallagher, who has been endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America and supported the prison bills. 'And the fear of this right-wing political moment that we're in.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Police say a man opened fire outside a church before staff fatally shot him, averting mass shooting
A man who opened fire outside a Michigan church filled with worshippers on Sunday was struck by a vehicle and then fatally shot by security staff who averted a potential mass shooting, police said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former Ohio State football star Kirk Barton facing charge in deadly car crash
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Ohio State football player Kirk Barton wearing jersey #74, Image 2 shows Mugshot of Kirk Barton An ex-Ohio State lineman was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide following a fatal car crash on Saturday. Kirk Barton was driving a Ford F150 Raptor at what local authorities deemed as a 'high rate of speed' when it struck a Lexus in Dublin, Ohio, at roughly 2:56 a.m. ET, according to a press release from the city. Advertisement Ethan Wence Perry, 24, was the driver of the Lexus and died at the scene, per the city. Police stated that Barton apparently had 'glassy, bloodshot eyes and a blank stare,' per Fox 28 Columbus. Kirk Barton pictured in a mugshot on June 21, 2025. Delaware County Sheriffs Office Barton, who 'sustained non-life-threatening injuries,' was released from Riverside Methodist Hospital and was taken into Dublin Police Department custody before being transported to Franklin County Jail. According to court documents viewed by The Post, local authorities plan to charge Barton with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide. Records indicate that Barton is expected to appear in court on Monday. Offensive tackle Kirk Barton of Ohio State prepares prior to action between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois on November 4, 2006. WireImage Barton was previously charged with felony assault of a deputy in 2018. Advertisement Court records also show that Barton has had a history of traffic offenses, per The Columbus Dispatch. The 40-year-old worked for Buckeye Scoop, a media outlet covering Ohio State athletics, which released a statement on X on Saturday. Kirk Barton of the Chicago Bears poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images 'We just learned of the devastating news regarding Kirk's involvement in a fatal incident,' the statement read. 'We are heartbroken for the victim and their loved ones. This is a tragedy. At this time, we are gathering information and will have more to say when appropriate.' Barton started at right tackle for Ohio State from 2003-07, and was team captain during his senior season, when he earned first-team All-American honors. The Bears drafted Barton in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, but released him after he appeared in just one game that season.
