GARY – “Dorin D. Rorex… Louis W. Donald Jr… Benjamin Wilcher Jr… Jeffrey Westerfield…” Each name of an officer who passed away in the line of duty was read aloud as a flower was placed in a wreath in their honor during the Annual Gary Police Department’s Fallen Officers Memorial.
The service took place on May 22 inside the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary for the first time. The event was held just days after National Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is observed annually on May 15 in Washington D.C., to honor and remember law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Dawn Westerfield said that, as an officer and a family member of a fallen officer, the day was particularly special to her. She emphasised that it was an opportunity to remember those who gave their all in service to the community, its citizens and the department.
“Those that refuse to sit back close, those that refuse to say ‘It's not my job,’ Those that continue to hold the line. We honor them, we are proud of them, and we will never forget them,” said the lieutenant with the Gary Police Department.
Father Mike Surufka, OFM, led those gathered in an invocation. He reminded the crowd that the cathedral is named after the Holy Angels, “a reminder that we are protected by what we can see and cannot see.”
“We commemorate those whom we can see and those who have been taken from us and we can see no more,” he said. “And we invoke the protection of the Holy Angels, the invisible beings that God sends for us.”
Father Surufka read from Psalm 91, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord. To sing praise to your name, most high. To proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. With 10 string instruments, a lyre with melody upon the harp. For you make us glad, O Lord, by your deeds that the works of your hands we rejoice.”
The rector of Holy Angels later stated that the priests who live there pray for the citizens of Gary and those who serve and protect them every day. On behalf of all the Catholic communities in the Diocese of Gary, Father Surufka blessed and offered challenge coins to all the officers present. The medallions depicted an image of St. Michael the Archangel, the defender of the heavens and the earth.
He prayed, “Gracious God, you who are the creator of all things, you have brought us to this holy place, on this sacred day, that we might remember all who have gone before us in service of this city, as police officers, enforcers of the law, especially those taken in violence. We ask your blessing upon their memories. We ask your blessings upon all who serve and those who, as retired officers who continue to hold high the standards of the department of police in this city. We ask your blessing upon these medallions embossed with the image of St. Michael, the protector of all. That, through his intercession, all of our officers might be accompanied by the companionship and strength of the angels.”
Lieutenant Del Stout, Gary Fraternal Order of Police president, said he hoped everyone approved of the change in venue and thanked Father Suruftka for the invitation to host the service at the church. He acknowledged the presence of members of the public, public officials and officers, both active and retired. More importantly, he welcomed the surviving family and friends of fallen officers. The service, he explained, is organized every year as “a reminder that we will not, shall not and can not forget your fallen loved ones.”
Stout stated that, as a fraternal organization, the FOP is involved in many different activities, but none more important than the service that is put on every year. He added that they would continue to honor those who gave their lives in service to this community and this country.
“Their sacrifice will always be remembered,” he said.
Chief Derek Cannon of the Gary Police Department noted that they gathered in remembrance, gratitude and in unity. He continued, stating they gathered to honor the officers who answered a call “that a few officers are willing to answer.”
Cannon said that call is one to service, to put others before themselves, even at the greatest of personal costs. He shared Isaiah 6:8, “Then, I heard a voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am, send me.’”
Cannon believes those words perfectly reflect the spirit of law enforcement. He noted every officer they were there to honor answered that call – when danger appeared, they stepped forward. He told the families that their loved ones were much more than police officers – fathers, mothers, sons – and that their legacy continues to live through every officer that wears a badge today.
“We stand beside you, not only doing this Memorial service, but throughout every season of life,” he said. “The Gary police family will always honor and support you.”
To the officers, Cannon said, “This profession requires courage that cannot always be seen from the outside.” He explained the career requires faith, discipline, compassion and resilience. Every shift of work, he told them, continues the mission of those who are now memorialized. He stressed that their sacrifice reminds all that policing is not just a career, but it's a call.
“Despite the challenges we face,” he said. “We must remain hopeful. The city of Gary is a beacon of hope. We are seeing progress throughout the neighborhoods, stronger communities, a reduction in crime, and renewed belief in the future. This progress didn’t happen by accident. It was built on sacrifice, perseverance and the generosity of the public we serve.”
Ellis Dumas III, chief of staff for the City of Gary, started his remarks by saying, “We do not honor the fallen by our silence. We honor them by how we live in the echo of their courage.”
Dumas said that although they gathered with heavy hearts, there was also a sense of deep gratitude. He shared that earlier that week, his nine-year-old daughter asked him a simple but profound question, “Why do we have Memorial Day?” In that moment, he had the responsibility of explaining the meaning of sacrifice and service to her.
Dumas described the many sacrifices found among the men and women being honored. There's a sacrifice of time, a sacrifice of comfort and peace of mind, and the ultimate sacrifice.
“When remembering these sacrifices, we must understand that the sacrifice comes with a requirement,” he said. “It comes with responsibility. Not just to remember, not just to honor his life once a year. But to live differently, every single day, because of what they have done. Every day when you wake up. We must ensure that we're building something greater because of their sacrifice.”
Dumas acknowledged that there are no words that can truly express the loss of a loved one, but stressed that the families were not alone.
“You do not breathe alone,” he said. “This city stands with you. This city honors you and your loved ones.”
To the men and women still serving, he said, “Your courage does not go unnoticed.”
The keynote speaker for the service was Rick Snyder, national chaplain for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), who provides spiritual support for over 318 active and retired FOP members across America. Synder traveled from Indianapolis, where he served for 29 years as a police officer.
Addressing the audience, Synder said he stood before them extending greetings, support and encouragement on behalf of the national FOP organization, along with a message of hope, healing, restoration and peace. He stated that the group’s presence there demonstrated a key point – the importance and the value of commitment.
“Commitment, dedication, fortitude and unwavering strength in service are what you and I are here to recognize and remember at our stage of history today,” he said. “It’s a day that honors a belief system in something bigger than ourselves, a belief in a higher calling and selfless actions that puts others before one’s own interests and one's own safety.”
Syder said people can see what others believe based on what they are willing to sacrifice. He acknowledged that those they were paying tribute to showed what they believed in – preserving the law, restoring order and making peace. Regardless of the cost, he said, they planted themselves upon the thin blue line that “so many amongst our society take for granted today.”
“As servants who gave him their last full measure, our officers and their families must have the tolerance that accountability for evil doers will match the fullest extent of the law,” Synder said. “That is why it is imperative that we continue speaking up for our countless officers who continue to suit up and show up, regardless of such tragedies, to ensure justice.”
He stressed that although people describe these officers as “fallen,” they did not fall short of their fidelity to the cause and to the covenant.
“May we continue to do this in remembrance of them and in remembrance of (Jesus).” Synder said. “And may the fragrance of their sacrifices be found acceptable in the sight of the Lord. As God the Father proves himself faithful to his followers through His presence, His provision and His peace.”
