Hundreds of residents joined lines and lines of police officers Friday to remember an officer lost in the line of duty 25 years ago. To the law enforcement community, the death of Wallie Howard Junior is a rallying cry.
No part of the job of law enforcement is as somber or serious as the risk of being killed on the job. Deputy Chief Rebecca Thompson worked with Howard on the drug task force back in 1990...and chose to remember his jokes and camaraderie.
"Wallie was always able to find the fun in life and he brought that into all he did. Besides his ever-present sense of humor, Wallie had a love of life and he especially loved his family."
She was also there during the drug operation that went bad...and resulted in Howard being shot and killed.
"I was the officer with the city portable (radio)...and it was I who had to call out that we had an officer down. And we needed an ambulance."
A call no one wants to make. She says her life changed that day, but not as much as the family he left behind...a mother, fiance and two children.
Police Chief Frank Fowler asked since that day are the streets safer? ...is there something each and everyone can do?
"I challenge you today on behalf of Wallie Howard and the other men that are on this wall behind me, to do something about it. We miss out on a lot of great opportunities to capitalize on the tragedies that we experience. Let this not be one of them."
Fowler was joined by former US Attorney John Duncan who asked the community to work with police, instead of finding ways to criticize or find fault.
"I say let all those who currently find all-too-easy ways to second-guess the actions of a police officer, that just this year 103 police officers have died in the line of duty; 32 of then were gunned down trying to protect and serve their communities."
A flag that flew over the capital was presented to the family by Congress Member John Katko. A wreath then laid at the fallen police memorial, which has Wallie Howard Jr.'s name on it... and the gathered officers and residents reminded of the risks of that go along with the decision to work to protect the community.
