By Paige Whipple
Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson paid homage Friday to nine officers who died in the line of duty, he said that while public opinion of the police force may be constantly changing, their role does not.
Speaking at the Police Memorial Ceremony in Towson, Johnson acknowledged the tension that has existed between police and the communities they serve following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.
But he said officers are always working hard to protect those they serve.
“These are not ordinary times,” Johnson said during the ceremony, which was attended by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz as well as families of the fallen officers. “Over the past two weeks, you have gone above and beyond to protect lives and property while enforcing the rule of law, all while surrounded by distraught and angry voices questioning the integrity of law enforcement officers everywhere.”
Johnson said that he isn’t discouraged by the controversy. He said citizens frequently stop his officers in grocery stores and restaurants to ask about their jobs. He said the “overwhelming majority of our citizens” appreciate the work officers do every day.
During the service, he also stressed that the officer’s jobs are not conditional on other people’s opinions or on the morality of those that they protect.
“We swear to serve all – not just those who hold us in esteem, but all,” he said. “It is easy to work on behalf of those who admire us, whose values mirror our own. But we are called to protect all, including those who do not admire us, including those whose values do not mirror our own. We are required to treat all with respect; all – including those who do not respect the law, or us.”
Johnson said that each officer took the jobs because they believed that a safe and orderly society is worth fighting and risking their lives for. He hopes that the fallen officers are constant reminders to those on the police force that their jobs are meaningful.
“From wherever they are, they remind us that ours is a just and noble cause worth fighting for, and, yes, worth dying for,” he said. “I hope that this admonition sustains us through the difficult days ahead.”
The fallen officers who were honored included:
- Officer Jason Schneider, died on August 28, 2013 from shock trauma.
- Lieutenant Michael Howe, died on August 11, 2008 from stroke.
- Sergeant Mark Perry, died on January 21, 2002 from traffic crash injuries.
- Sergeant Bruce Prothero, died on February 2000 from gunshots.
- Officer Robert Zimmerman, died on November 14, 1986 from being struck in traffic.
- Corporal Samuel Snyder, died on August 23, 1983 from gunshots.
- Officer Charles Huckeba, died on July 6, 1977 from gunshots.
- Officer Edward Kuznar, died on December 9, 1969 from a head on traffic accident.
Amanda Adedeji contributed to this report.