Area police agencies to honor officers killed on duty

Law enforcement agencies from Western New York and Southern Ontario will honor the sacrifices made by officers killed in the line of duty at the 24th annual Niagara County Interfaith Police Memorial Service on May 16.

The service will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 140 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, where the host pastor will be the Rev. Canon Helen O. Harper.

The observance is free and open to the public. A reception will immediately follow.

This year’s guest speaker will be Anthony V. LeBron, acting president of the Western New York Law Enforcement Helpline, a volunteer organization of specially trained law enforcement officers and family peers who provide confidential assistance to active and retired law enforcement personnel and their families for issues that may impact work and family life.

LeBron, who is a certified trauma responder, retired from the Buffalo Police Department after a distinguished 32-year career and has been a Helpline member since 2017. He has assisted countless officers following critical incidents.

He is also president of the South Buffalo Community Table, which provides more than 1,100 hot meals per month to needy individuals and families.

The Niagara County Interfaith Police Memorial Service gives special recognition to law enforcement officers who gave their lives for the safety and protection of others. The service will include the recitation of the Roll of Honor – the names of those fallen officers – followed by the rendering of full military-style honors by an interagency honor guard.

Shown are images from last year’s Niagara County Interfaith Police Memorial Service. (Photos by Anthony DiPasquale)