Pueblo Police honor fallen officers with memorial during National Police Week
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - To kick off National Police Week, the Pueblo Police department held its annual Memorial Ceremony on Thursday. This, to honor the 13 fallen officers in their department who lost their lives while on duty.
The ceremony featured opening remarks from Pueblo Police Interim Chief, Chris Noeller, a presentation from the Pueblo Police Honor Guard, and a roll call of the fallen by City Council President Larry Atencio and Andrea Aragon. It was later followed by the laying of the wreath, an honor guard 21-gun salute, playing of the taps, and closing remarks.
"Police officers in the united states have worked tirelessly to keep their communities safe and during harsh weather, violence, and long hours, ultimately paying the ultimate sacrifice," said Interim Pueblo Police Chief, Chris Noeller.
"It is important for our profession to honor our history and tradition with pride and not our so proud moments with open eyes and a heart of change," added Noeller.
He reflected on the live-threatening situations officers put themselves in on the daily.
"I've worked those scary nights when you are running from one call to the other and you are not sure what is going to happen and to think about those officers who have paid that price is important," added Noeller.
The roll call of fallen officers lists the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice They named each officer from the very first to the most recent, Officer Nicholas K. Heine who died on June 21, 2008.
Heine's death still emotional for Sergeant. Franklyn Ortega.
"Nick Heine, when he passed away, I was an acting Captain that night, so it is a little more significant for me," said Ortega.
He remembers that night his friend and partner lost his life in 2008 due to a medical condition. Officer Heine was in the middle of breaking up a couple of bar fights in Downtown Pueblo before he collapsed.
"Officer Heine had a medical incident and he was transported to the hospital and at the hospital, he was pronounced dead, so it was kind of hard for everybody that was working that night," said Ortega.
It's a night the sergeant wishes would have been different.
"I was hoping it was just some medical issue that we can tease him about, having to be transported to an ambulance and stuff, but obviously, that did not happen," added Ortega.
Ending with a message, hoping people understand what the ultimate sacrifice means.
"We all have to work together to make things work in our community and it is important for officers to feel like our community recognizes the many sacrifices our officers have made," said Noeller.
Thursday many expressed it felt great to be able to host the ceremony this year after having to cancel last year's ceremony due to the pandemic.
