PHILADELPHIA (May 4, 2016) – In a day of reflection and reverence, Mayor Jim Kenney and Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis joined other officials to honor police officers and firefighters at the City of Philadelphia’s annual Living Flame Memorial Service at Franklin Square Park, Sixth and Race streets.
The Living Flame Memorial Service is designed to acknowledge the sacrifices of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Since records have been kept in the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1871, 290 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department have made the ultimate sacrifice in the official line of duty. Since 1828, there have been 270 recorded deaths of Philadelphia police officers who died in service.
Mayor Kenney, Police Commissioner Richard Ross and Deputy Fire Commissioner Jesse Wilson reflectively addressed a crowd including family members and colleagues of fallen Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who have died over the years while in service to the City. They placed wreaths and red-and-white carnations at the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square Park. The names of deceased police officers and firefighters, who succumbed while serving the public, are inscribed on plaques on the circular three-pronged Living Flame Memorial monument in the park.
Since the last Living Flame Memorial in May 2015, one member of the Philadelphia Police Department – Officer Walter J. DeWitt III – has died in the line of duty. He was acknowledged in somber tributes and added to the monument. His name joined the respected roster of local deceased firefighters and police officers who are memorialized on the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square Park in Old City.
“On this solemn occasion, we remember Police Officer Walter DeWitt, who joins the honor roll of our fallen police officers and firefighters today,” said Mayor Kenney. “He served us with honor and distinction. As the son of a fire firefighter, I can tell you firsthand that I am intimately aware about the great risks that my father and countless public servants have taken while serving and protecting the citizens of Philadelphia. Our first responders – firefighters, police officers and paramedics – are heroes who are prepared every day to make the ultimate sacrifice. We are eternally grateful for their selfless service. Our prayers and gratitude go out to their families and to the Philadelphia Police and Fire departments.”
Officer Walter J. DeWitt III, 55, a 33-year veteran and highly decorated member of the Philadelphia Police Department, died last June from complications of surgery after sustaining a recurring injury incurred during the line of service. He suffered a shoulder injury in a patrol-car accident in 1995 and was re injured in an accident at the Philadelphia Police Academy firing range in 2014 requiring surgery in 2015. He joined the force in 1982 and was assigned to the 35th District. He later moved to the 2nd District in 1991. His other assignments included the Police Highway Patrol Unit in 1998 and Traffic Division in 2004, before joining the Firearms Training Unit of the Philadelphia Police Academy in 2007. Over his career, Officer DeWitt was bestowed the Award for Heroism twice, received two Merit Awards and nine Commendation for his performance. A 1978 Lincoln High School graduate and Northeast Philadelphia resident, Officer DeWitt is survived by his wife, Denise, and son, Walter J. DeWitt IV.
City officials – led by Mayor Kenney, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis (the program’s emcee), Police Commissioner Ross and Deputy Fire Commissioner Wilson – were joined by representatives from the families and colleagues of Officer DeWitt as well as survivors of other police and firefighters. Most of the families placed flowers at the monument during this annual day of remembrance.
The Living Flame Memorial program featured musical selections including soloist Treena Ferebee stirring a cappella rendition of the National Anthem. The Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums as well as the Police Department Honor Guard and Police & Fire Department Buglers also performed poignant musical tributes during the wreath-laying portion of the program.
Other participants from the law-enforcement community included representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.)/Philadelphia Lodge #5; FOP, Lodge #5 Auxiliary; F.O.P., Lodge 113-University of PA Police; Philadelphia Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 22 and its Family Association; Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums; Police and Fire Color Guards; Police Department Rifle Team; Retired Police, Fire, and Prison Guard Association; Philadelphia Police Department Buglers; Custodes Pacis, Lodge #2085; International German-American Police Association; The Spanish American Law Enforcement Association; League of Sacred Heart; Legion of Cornelius; Shomrim Society; The Guardian Civic League Incorporated, American Legion Police Post 937 and the Philadelphia Police Academy.
Also participating in the service were clergy throughout the region. Cantor Alan Edwards, of Shomrim Society/Philadelphia and Delaware Valley Region, delivered the program’s Invocation. Bishop Samuel Jones, of the Police Chaplain’s Office and New Destiny Worship Center, delivered the Prayer For Heroes and Families of Heroes and Fr. Steven P. Wetzel, Chaplain of the Archangel Ministry/F.O.P. Philadelphia Lodge #5, gave the Benediction.
Representatives from federal, state as well as other law-enforcement and fire-service agencies also paused and paid their respects.
Several trained white doves were released from the stage at the conclusion of the ceremony to symbolically honor the gallant fallen Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Living Flame Memorial Service today precedes National Police Week a national observance held later this month to memorialize those in law enforcement who gave their lives honorably to protect and serve the public. The national week was established in 1962.
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