Niagara Interfaith Chaplaincy: U.S., Canada police agencies to honor officers killed on duty

Law enforcement personnel who died in the line of duty will be honored at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the 20th annual Niagara Interfaith Chaplaincy Police Memorial Service.

The service will take place at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 400 Ridge St., Lewiston. Police agencies from across Western New York and Southern Ontario will participate in the observance, held each year during National Police Week to honor the memories of their fallen brothers and sisters.

This year's keynote speaker will be the Rev. Deacon Patrick Bradley of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls.

Bradley, who was appointed chaplain of the Niagara Falls Police Department in 1998, is a founding member of Niagara Interfaith Chaplaincy, the organization that sponsors the annual police memorial. He is an active member of the Western New York Stress Reduction Program, an all-volunteer organization that provides critical incident stress management services to fire, police and emergency medical services personnel. He also serves as chaplain for the Niagara Falls Fire Department and the Upper Mountain Fire Co. in Lewiston.

Established by a joint resolution of ­­­­­Congress in 1962, National Police Week is a time to give special recognition to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. The Niagara County service will feature the reading of the Roll of Honor - the roster of officers killed in the line of duty through the years - and a presentation of memorial wreaths by law enforcement agency representatives.

Agency honor guard members will join area musicians in rendering a rifle salute and taps to the memories of those to be honored. Following the service, a reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall.

Host pastor for the event will be the Rev. Canon Barbara Price. 

St. Paul's Episcopal Church is an accessible facility. The media and public are invited to this free event.