Local law enforcement honors 75 fallen officers during Peace Officer Memorial

Officers and deputies gathered inside the Bonneville County Courthouse at the end of Police Week and National Peace Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers who have died on duty.

The peace officer memorial capped off a national week of appreciation and remembrance. During the memorial, over 282 fallen officers were recognized nationally and 75 names were read of Idaho’s fallen.

Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson and Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse spoke at the event. Last year, Bonneville County Deputy Sheriff Wyatt C. Maser was honored at the memorial event.

Johnson said he’s run out of fingers and toes to count the number of funerals he’s been to for officers he’s known throughout his life. According to The Salt Lake Tribune , Utah officer Michael J. Dunman was killed the morning of July 17, 2000, when a car veered off the road and struck him in the back. The alleged suspect, Yocundo Cruz-Silva, posted bail and fled the country.

Johnson said thousands of people came to be a part of Dunman’s funeral.

Johnson spoke about attending Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy Tobin Bolter’s funeral and driving the 15 miles to where the memorial service was to be held, and seeing the streets lined with people.

“When the chips are down, there has been an overwhelming response that speaks highly to a community,” Johnson said.

Hulse said on Saturday that it will be four years since the death of Maser and that these memorials are one of the most difficult things they do as law enforcement officers.

“One of the most important things that we do as a society and as a profession is that we made a pledge and we will never forget,” Hulse said.