Six Fallen Kentucky Officers Honored in Washington D.C.

It’s been the big build up for National Police Week, today is actually Peace Officers Memorial Day. It’s a holiday first declared by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to give special recognition to law enforcement that have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year 252 names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.  Six of them are from Kentucky.

Thousands have been congregating in Washington D.C. all week to honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. Some from the Lexington police department arriving Thursday after a 235 mile bike ride from Virginia to D.C. Others from the mounted unit traveled around the capital on horseback. They’re all in Washington D.C. to support the state’s six fallen officers, five of whom died in the line of duty last year.

Their names were read aloud Friday at a vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial where they will be forever remembered. Those honored include Richmond Police Officer Daniel Ellis, Nicholasville Police Officer Burke Rhoads, Kentucky State Trooper Anson Tribby, Trooper Eric Chrisman, Trooper Joseph Ponder, and Bullet County Detention Officer Clifford Travis.

And Sunday was the big finale. The spotlight was on UK alum Hannah Ellis who sang a moving song during a wreath laying ceremony. Her song “Officer Down” is in honor of her cousin Richmond Police Officer Daniel Ellis who was shot in the head during a robbery investigation last November.

It’s a trying trip for comrades of the fallen and their family members, but also a joyous one. Daniel’s wife Katie Ellis smiles in front of the police memorial wall where her husbands sacrifice will be forever remembered.

Hannah Ellis’s song “Officer Down” is available for purchase on iTunes.