Everyday heroes primary focus of police memorial service
Roberto M. Esquivel/HeraldStandard.com
Connellsville police Chief Jim Capitos (left) and Capt. Steven Schaffer flank keynote speaker Linda Cordaro, an assistant district attorney in Fayette County since 2005, during a memorial service in observance of National Police Week in Connellsville on Tuesday.
Roberto M. Esquivel/HeraldStandard.comrd.com
Connellsville police Patrolmen Wesley Wilson (left) and Patrick Ruff raise an American flag to half staff during a memorial service held Tuesday morning in Connellsville as part of National Police Week.
CONNELLSVILLE — The ultimate sacrifice made by the men and women of law enforcement around the country is what defines them as everyday heroes, according to the keynote speaker for Tuesday’s annual Connellsville Police Memorial Service.
“Today and throughout the year, we must offer gratitude and respect to the men and women whose courage, commitment and daily efforts keep our community safe and our homeland secure,” said Linda Cordaro, a partner with the law firm of Horewitz, Cordaro, Dietz and Miele in Connellsville.
As a Fayette County assistant district attorney since 2005 and a child abuse prosecutor, Cordaro said she has been privileged to work with many law enforcement officials.
Cordaro said she asked some of her friends why they chose a career in law enforcement and found that it changed the life of one woman in particular when she was 6 years old and being raised in a home with domestic violence.
Cordaro said the woman recalled crying one night after her mother was beaten by her father until the police arrived and then feeling safe after one of them told her everything would be OK because he was there.
“That was a defining moment in her life,” said Cordaro. “That police officer became her hero that night and now she has the opportunity to go to work each day and be the hero.”
Cordaro said being a police officer is one of the most hazardous occupations.
“You are the people that rush toward danger and not away from it,” added Cordaro.
According to Cordaro, 1,800 law enforcement officials from the United States have died in the line of duty over the last 10 years.
On average, Cordaro said more than 65,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year and nearly 23,000 injured.
“These are staggering statistics showing the extraordinary services leading to the performance of daily acts of heroism,” Cordaro said.
However, Cordaro said, the families and friends of police officers also make sacrifices of their own by knowing each day brings unknown danger in the line of duty.
In 2011, Cordaro said 163 police officers were killed in the United States, including four officers in Pennsylvania.
Cordaro touched on the lives of two of the officers, Derek Kotecki of the Lower Burrell Police Department and John Dryer of East Washington Borough Police Department.
“We must support our nation’s law enforcement officials by joining them in standing up against crime, by helping each other in times of need and by doing everything in our power to protect those who devote their lives to the safety and security of others,” Cordaro said.
Connellsville Mayor Charles Matthews, a former police chief for the city, commended local, state and auxiliary police officers, including those from Connellsville, by referring to them as ambassadors.
Additionally, Matthews read a proclamation marking Tuesday as Police Officers Memorial Day and the week running through Saturday as Police Week.
“Without their sacrifice, there would be no justice,” said Connellsville Councilman Greg Ritch.