27th
Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service

Honoring Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officers from
St. Clair County, Illinois

who have given their lives in the performance of their Duties

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Welcome by Sheriff Mearl J. Justus

Today we come together to remember and honor all law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

We reflect on those who have died in the line of duty. Although only one week of the year is set aside for this special remembrance, the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice are fresh in our thoughts and prayers every day. We remember these fallen officers fondly as each has left a legacy of bravery and honor with the law enforcement community. We also must remember and comfort their families, who were left with irreplaceable losses in their lives.

There are some 900,000 active law enforcement officers in the United States today - men and women who are willing to put their own lives at great risk for the safety and protection of others. This day is a time to pause and reflect on the incredible sacrifices these heroes make for us every day and every week of the year. We could not be the free, safe and peaceful nation that we are without their dedication and service.

By taking an oath to serve and protect their fellow citizens, law enforcement officers answer a vital calling and accept a profound responsibility. We work to uphold our laws and service on the front lines in the fight against crime and terrorism.

Everyone of the names on this memorial represents an extraordinary person. Every one took an oath and carried a badge and committed his life to keeping the peace and protecting others. Every one has brought honor to our community. And together they live on our memory as policemen whose courage and commitment has shown the true meaning of heroism.

This day is also a day to remember that in every community there’s a law enforcement officer on the job watching over our neighborhoods, ready for the next call. Each day you go to work not knowing what the challenges might bring. Yet each day, you are committed to answering those challenges with courage and decisiveness. And so this morning, I offer you my thanks, and pledge that your courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Chief William Clay recognizes a fallen officer

(Under extensive research it was discovered that a fallen officer of 1930 was not listed among those scribed on the memorial. Today that officer was recognized and honored)

Motorcycle Officer John N. Schildroth, (Jack) was killed Saturday, September 27^th, 1930 when his motorcycle collided with a truck owned by the Belleville Feed Mill Company, located at 222 East Washington Street.  The accident occurred at West Main and eighty-eight (88^th) Streets in Belleville.

Officer Schildroth was performing his traffic duties when he observed a vehicle traveling west on Main Street at a high rate of speed.  He pursued the speeding vehicle in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.  Witnesses stated the motorcycle came upon the slowing feed mill truck which was about to make a left turn.  The driver of the mill truck believed the officer would pass on the right.

After signaling a left turn with his hand he began his turn and was struck by the motorcycle.  The officer and bike skidded on the street car tracks coming to a stop about fifty (50) feet west of the intersection.  Officer Schildroth was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Pete Gaerdner’s ambulance where he passed away at 9:45 a.m.  He never regained consciousness.

Officer Schildroth was survived by his wife and two children.  He was 28 years old and resided at 312 North Tenth Street.  He was appointed by the Honorable Mayor Chas Stegmeyer, March 1^st, 1930, and served under then Chief of Police J.B. Mayes, six (6) months and twenty-six (26) days.

It is fitting that we remember this officer who gave his life in the performance of this noble calling.  It is a good thing.  God Bless

Keynote Address A. Courtney Cox
- United States Attorney

I want to thank Sheriff Justus for his kind invitation to make some remarks on this occasion.

I am honored to be here today, to join with all of you in this special tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of peace and order. I can think of no place I would rather be, or should be, today.

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood before a crowd of people assembled on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to pay tribute to those who fell during the battle just 4 and one-half months earlier. That battle claimed the lives of more Americans than any other battle of the Civil War. More than 50,000 died during those three days.

There, on that November afternoon, standing on the hallowed ground of that battlefield, Lincoln said, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did
here”€�.

The truth is that no matter how eloquent I try to be, few of us will remember my words, but we can never forget the brave men and women who gave their last full measure of devotion for our protection.

To paraphrase Lincoln, it is for us the living to be dedicated to the unfinished work that our fallen brothers and sisters so nobly advanced. The battle against crime continues.

Guaranteeing public safety is a mission that is at the very core of our society. Thomas Jefferson wrote eloquently that governments are instituted to secure the inalienable rights of the people... treasured rights to life and liberty. This is the first priority of government - to protect the lives and liberty of the people. The men and women do this every day, and do it well.

As United States Attorney, I have been blessed to witness firsthand the dedication of our local, state and federal law enforcement officers. I see the sacrifices they make to protect the American people and I am humbled to be in their presence.

Law enforcement, the protection of our people, is not a job, it is a
calling. And we stand in wonder at their courage. These men and women put themselves in harm’s way voluntarily. Their lives made a
difference. Too often we take our peaceful society for granted, sometimes forgetting that without peace officers, there would be no peace, there would be anarchy, a complete breakdown of our government and our communities.

There is no greater service that to serve one’s community, especially in the providing of protection and security. Having law enforcement officers who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the common good is essential if we are to remain a free people:

Free from fear - free from harm - and free from distrust of those around us. In short, free to live in an open society where we do not have to worry about facing injury, death or loss.

There is no place in our society for those who would harm a peace
officer. An attack on an officer is an attack on the very fabric of our democracy. All of these officers had hopes and dreams for the future, as did their families. Still, they accepted the risk of their chosen profession and continued their mission until their last breath. We have a special word for this - valor.

We are indebted to these brave officers. We are equally indebted to you, the families of these officers, who support and encourage their work, despite your awareness of the dangers involved in their profession. To the families of these brave officers, know this. We will never forget.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. bears the names of more than 16,500 officers killed in the line of duty, stretching back to 1792, when New York City Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith was shot and killed, the first American peace officer to die in the line of duty.

Still, new men and women take up the badge and the mission: to protect and to serve. This is the greatest tribute to our fallen colleagues - to ensure that their work will continue and will live on.

The National Memorial bears the following quote: “It is not how these officers died that makes them heroes, but how they lived.” 

Today let us remember their lives, their commitment, and their sacrifice. Let us resolve to carry on their work to make our communities, our state, our country and our world a better place.

Thank you for joining me here today and thank you for the opportunity to speak.