Never forgotten: Memorial service honors fallen ISP officers

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Indiana State Troopers stand at attention as Taps is played at the conclusion of the Sellersburg District's memorial service Wednesday. Staff photo by C.E. Branham
Indiana State Police Capt. Steven R. Priest reads the names the 46 Indiana State Police personnel that have died in the line of duty. Staff photo by C.E. Branham
The Indiana State Police Sellersburg District honor guard retires colors at the conclusion of a memorial service Wednesday. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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May 10, 2012

Never forgotten: Memorial service honors fallen ISP officers

By TARA SCHMELZ tara.schmelz@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Thu May 10, 2012, 12:32 AM EDT

SELLERSBURG — Family, friends and fellow officers with the Indiana State Police listened as the names of each fallen ISP officer was read off Wednesday.

“I tear up every time, especially when I hear his name,” said 50-year-old Brian Meyer, who is a captain with the Clark County Sheriff’s Department.

Meyer lost his father, Lawrence B. Meyer, in 1974. The elder Meyer, who was from Sellersburg, passed away due to a heart attack while chasing an escaped prisoner on foot. Brian was 11 years old at the time.

“I listened to it on the police scanner when it happened,” he said. “There isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t think of your dad.”

Sgt. Jerry Goodin said ISP posts around the state have held an annual Memorial Day service since the mid-1950s to honor their fallen heroes.

“It’s part of our tradition to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Goodin said.

“It’s our duty to let the family members know we will never forget the sacrifice they made.”

A total of 46 ISP personnel have died in the line of duty dating back to 1933, with the most recent in 2010.

Sandra Bailey, of Jeffersonville, came to remember her brother, Steven L. Bailey, who died after his weapon discharged while he was attempting to serve a warrant. Her 27-year-old daughter, Monique, also comes every year to the service. Sandra said Monique was born about a year after Steven passed.

“It’s nice. It makes me feel like I got to meet him in a way,” Monique said of the annual event. “He’s here in spirit.”

Sandra said the event has changed over the years to be more of just the victims’ families and politicians.

“I wish more people from the public would come here and support it,” she said.

Goodin said he hopes the public doesn’t forget any of those who have served.

“There are people out here that are protecting them and some of those people died while protecting them,” he said. “We don’t want to forget the sacrifice they made.”

To read more about Indiana’s fallen ISP officers, go to www.in.gov/isp/2336.htm.

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