On a dreary day, police officers' pride seemed to shine as brightly as their badges.

Tracy Teetz of Colerain Township braved the rain to show support for passing police officers as they paraded down Vine Street Friday from Fountain Square to the police memorial on Ezzard Charles Drive. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Hundreds of police and supporters from throughout Greater Cincinnati participated in Friday's soggy Hamilton County Police Memorial Day observance on Fountain Square and march to the Police Memorial, remembering deceased officers.

        But in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and Cincinnati's riots, it also served as a time for officers to reinforce the notion that most deserve to be treated as heroes, not villains.

        “We're called names, we're shot at, we're punched, we're kicked ... we're put on trial by the news media” — and are sometimes killed, Spec. Roger Webster, Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police president, told the crowd at the police memorial. “As police officers, you are the front lines between a lawless society and an orderly way of life.”

        The two-hour service included an array of tributes, including prayers, speeches, songs, a 21-gun salute, bagpipers, crossed fire ladders, patriotic flower arrangements and the “riderless horse” with boots facing backward in its stirrups.

        Although Cincinnati Police Chief Thomas Streicher acknowledged officers were prepared for possible disruptions, critics stayed away.

        In fact, a number of citizens along the parade route expressed appreciation for police.

Kenton County Police Detective Wayne Wallace stands with the color guard at the Northern Kentucky Police Memorial Service in Covington. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        At the Garfield Suites Hotel, a half-dozen employees stood holding purple balloons and a large purple-and-white banner that said: “We're glad you're here.”

        “We want to support our police because, without them, it's anarchy,” said Gary Wachs, the hotel's general manager. “The silent majority supports the police.”

        A few times, bystanders broke into applause. That gave Chief Streicher “a great feeling” — something he has experienced frequently despite the criticisms, racial unrest and federal investigation after April 2001, when Officer Stephen Roach fatally shot Timothy Thomas, a fleeing black man who turned out to be unarmed.

        “In the past year, I've probably heard more voices of support than I've ever heard in my career,” the chief said. “They're just not in the very public locations that get all the attention.”

        He senses community tension has dissipated as people realize they share common goals: improving the city and the police department.

        Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen lamented: “Charges of police brutality, racism and corruption are thrown out recklessly by people who lack the courage to do the job themselves ... our security is built on the backs of the brave men and women who unselfishly give the ultimate gift to the people of this community — their lives.”

Cincinnati police union president Roger Webster salutes as he and hundreds of officers and supporters observe Hamilton County Police Memorial Day. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        One police officer is killed in America nearly every other day — and the deaths of 71 officers at the World Trade Center made 2001 the deadliest year in law enforcement history, Mr. Allen noted.

        “We cannot thank enough those of you who put your lives on the line for us every day,” he said. “But we can vow to never forget those who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty and we can stand by those of you who brave those same perils for us every day.”

        The memory of Forest Park Police Officer Charles Leon McDonald, 35, was prominent for many. He suddenly took ill and died 11 months ago while in training for the Hamilton County SWAT team.

        “People still talk about him every day,” said Officer Steve Schmitz, among a contingent of Forest Park police at the services. “Being here brings back a lot of sad memories. Everyone misses him.”

        Forest Park Police Chief Ken Hughes put his own spin on a passage from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Chief Hughes said it was his hope that “we will not be judged by the shape of our badges, (nor) by the color of our uniforms ... but by the content of our character.”

        Linda Pope, whose husband, Daniel, was a Cincinnati officer who was shot to death in 1997, said, “This is our day. This is where we get the opportunity to show our thanks and praise these officers. Rain or shine, we're here to support and love them ... You never hear about all of the good that they do.”

        Standing beside Mrs. Pope was Cheryl Cole. Her husband, Officer David Cole, was shot and killed in 1974 as he drove his cruiser to a burglary call at a store.

        Perhaps police rarely tell of their own good deeds, she said, “because, to them, they're just doing their jobs.”

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