Police Memorial: Remembering those who vow to protect and serve
Gathered in front of the Bartlesville Police Department headquarters on Wednesday, officers took turns reading the names of fallen Washington County law enforcement.
November 1922, Dewey Police Officer Herbert Marlow. December 1935, Bartlesville Police Officer Henry Cobb.
March 2021, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Davis.
In honor of National Police Week, BPD hosted its annual Police Officer Memorial Service. After reading the names, the BPD honor guard fired shots and displayed a red, white and blue wreath on the memorial plaque outside the station.
During the ceremony, Clint Johnson, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, addressed the gathered crowd, which included firefighters and officers from Bartlesville, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Highway Patrol and other agencies.
Johnson described the nuanced role first responders are charged with daily.
“Your sworn duty to serve and protect represents a unique calling that requires fortitude, courage and professionalism,” Johnson said. “These are not just platitudes. You stand between order and lawlessness and you are the conveyer of liberty and justice.”
“Your work is tough, it is gritty, it is righteous and it is necessary. Regardless of the challenge, danger, pandemics, long hours, political climate, peace officers continue to put on their uniform and do what they do best — fight for justice.”
Johnson discussed WCSO Deputy Kyle Davis, the most recent law enforcement death in the County. Davis died on March 25, 2021 following a confrontation with an inmate at the Washington County Correctional Facility.
Colleagues have described Davis as professional and committed to the job. Johnson said it is important to “stand beside” families of officers like Davis and for law enforcement to commit to carrying out the legacy of those who came before.
“We’re here today to honor Kyle and all those who have passed in Washington County. We say their names every year and remember them. We will not forget their selfless devotion or commitment to protecting and serving others,” Johnson said. “It has been a difficult year, and soon there will be new and different challenges we will encounter - individually and collectively — and I know you will meet those challenges with strength, resilience and honor.”
Washington County Sheriff Scott Owen spoke during the service, noting Washington County has not undergone some of the struggles of bigger cities in recent years. He said we have a community that lifts each other up.
“We’ve seen law enforcement deaths increase exponentially in the last few years. Unheard of numbers. Yet, you men and women in blue, brown, red, whatever color you’re wearing, step up to the plate every day and for that I thank you,” Owen said.