Somber memorial honors slain officers

After several years of having been absent from Holmes County due to COVID, the 2024 Law Enforcement Memorial took place May 17 at the Holmes County Courthouse, bringing back a memorial honoring Ohio police officers slain while on watch, honoring those who have and continue to serve.

Sponsored by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Millersburg Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol, the event honored Deputy Sheriff Joshua Hamilton of Preble County, Deputy Sheriff Marcus Zeigler of Hamilton County and police officer Timothy James Unwin, all of whom were killed on active duty.

Retired Millersburg Chief of Police Thomas Vaughn provided the welcome to those attending, and Lt. Eldon Trubee provided an invocation, followed by Brenda Boley’s singing of the national anthem.

The keynote delivery was presented by retired Chief Joseph Morbitzer, who spent 33 of his 36 years on the force serving with the Westerville Police Department.

Morbitzer was serving as police chief there on Feb. 10, 2018, when police officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli were slain while responding to a domestic violence call.

Morbitzer described what it was like leading his people through that emotional experience and said far too many officers are facing similar situations on a daily basis.

“The whole world of an entire department changed that day,” Morbitzer said. “It had a huge impact, not just on the officers, but on their families and the citizens themselves. The outpouring from the citizens was tremendous and helped us get through that situation.”

He said family is far more than blood, especially in a profession full of negatives and traumatic situations.

He said those employed in the police profession lead the nation in three areas: divorce, addictive behavior and suicide.

Such can be the toll of dedicating oneself to the profession. He said taking care of each other continues to be a critical part of the focus.

He thanked those who served and are serving, their families, and especially children of police officers, many of whom face the brunt of ridicule at school.

He then implored those in attendance to be the silent majority in support of police officers and stand up for those who serve.

“Each day I try to recognize officers and members of the military who have paid the ultimate price, who sacrifice in the name of protecting our freedom,” Morbitzer said. “Unfortunately, that isn’t getting any less. The way we can combat that is through the silent majority who can stand up against the really vocal minority and voice your support for law enforcement.”

Finally, Morbitzer asked one simple question: When working in dire conditions that ask so much of its individuals with such little financial reward, why do all these folks undertake this task on a daily basis?

He said everyone needs to remember these dedicated people who serve their communities every day, showing support through words and actions.

Morbitzer said there are countless times officers have shown incredible compassion, grace and love toward others who are struggling, moments that never earn headlines and go unnoticed.

“Those are the stories you never hear about that they do every day,” Morbitzer said. “The greatest service is service above self to others, and that’s what they display every single day while in uniform.

“I will put (Ohio’s) law-enforcement professionals against any state in the United States for who they are and what they do. They do law enforcement the right way. They are the ultimate professionals, and you can’t teach that in the academy. It’s in their heart.”

Capt. Brad Conn then read presentations for all three slain officers, Capt. Jeffrey Lay presented honored members and Lt. Timothy Stryker presented arms, before Larry Purdy played taps and Trubee closed with a prayer.

The memorial was a somber remembrance of those who gave their life serving others and also served as an encouragement to respect and honor those who put on their uniform and badge each day in the name of protecting and serving, putting others before themselves.