The Alexandria Police Department honored its fallen officers in an annual wreath laying ceremony today (May 6).
The wreath laying is part of Alexandria Police Week, which included a memorial church service this morning. There will also be a wreath-laying at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at Waterfront Park in Old Town.
“Police Week is a national observance, but here we make it deeply personal,” Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley said outside APD headquarters. “It reminds us that safety is not in the abstract. It is built day by day by the individuals willing to serve, often in difficult and unforeseen circumstances. The officers we honor today and their families set that standard through their courage, their commitment and their sense of duty to the families of the fallen your loved one’s service continue to shape this city.”
Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said APD will continue honoring the department’s 18 fallen officers every year.
“The reality of the situation is, is that at times, people take for granted the job that we do every day,” McGuire said. “The reality that there are people that leave their household, that kiss their families goodbye, and they have an expectation that they’re going to return home that evening.”
Alexandria Police recognized these fallen officers:
- Constable Elijah Chenault
- Watchman Gerrard Arnold
- Officer Julian F. Arnold
- Officer George W. Crump
- Officer Walker W. Campbell
- Sergeant Elton B. Hummer
- Sergeant Charles R. McClary
- Private Whitfield Lipscombe
- Private August Perault Pierce
- Corporal Clarence J. McClary
- Private Robert B. Harris
- Private Bobby G. Padgett
- Deputy Inspector James Baber
- Private Eugene Yoakum
- Detective Conrad L. Birney
- Corporal Charles W. Hill
- Officer Andrew Chelchowski
- Sergeant Morton M. Ford
