EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Before last year, it had been several years since the East Peoria Police Department had a memorial ceremony.
They’ve started doing it again, in part to continue to remember one officer, and to recognize some recent scary situations.
Officer Henry Kounse was killed in the line of duty in 1931 — the only East Peoria officer to die in such a situation; but, it’s not lost on Deputy Chief David Horn it almost happened twice last year.
“We have been blessed in both cases, that our officers survived,” said Horn. “Please know, their incidents have left a mark on our department, and have served as a direct reminder of what the commitment of being a police officer truly means in this day and age.”
Officer Jeffrey Bieber was stabbed several times during in incident in February of last year, and Officer Karson Klyber was hit by an allegedly drunk driver while responding to a crash on the Murray Baker Bridge late last December.
Klyber was in attendance at a memorial ceremony Monday, and helped present the colors. Members of Kounse’s extended family attended as well.
It’s en vogue for the public to be anti-police these days, given some national stories the last few years.
But, East Peoria Police Chief Rich Brodrick says officers need your support, now more than ever.
“Think of a list of people you can truly count on to stand between you and those wishing to do you or family harm — without question, without expectations, without knowing the risks and the outcome. I expect that for all of you that list would be very short. This memorial is dedicated to those who earn a spot at the top of that list every day.”
A wreath was placed at the site of the memorial, containing Kounce’s name, in front of the East Peoria Public Safety Building’s flag pole.