Danny Lynchard's Kevo

Memorial Service Honors Fallen Tulsa Officers // Families Told Ultimate Sacrifice Remembered

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=617559

By Leslie Wakulich / Tulsa World
5/18/1997

Officer W.M. Clark was killed during a shootout with a burglar
during a drug store robbery in 1936.

In 1951 Detective Cornelius W. White was fatally shot by a rape
suspect he was taking to jail.

Officer Fabrienne Van Arsdell was killed in 1981 when a drunk
driver hit her police car, causing it to burst into flames.
Last summer, K-9 Officer Dick Hobson was fatally shot by an
armed robbery suspect in a downtown alley.
These Tulsa police officers and 34 others who were killed in the line of duty were remembered Saturday in the first memorial service for fallen officers in nearly a decade.

Thirty-nine small white carnations were placed one-by-one into a wreath in the shape of a police badge: one for each officer who was killed and a single flower to remember the officers who are still living.

And before more than 150 family members, friends and fellow
police officers, police chaplain Danny Lynchard gave an invocation calling for remembrance, reflection and renewal of the officers' commitment to their community.

"Remember those that have given the ultimate sacrifice," he
said. "We loved them, and we still love them. As long as love
lives, there is still life."

However, he said, everyone asks questions such as: "Was the job
really worth it?"

"I think it's important for every police officer to have that
reflection," Lynchard said.

Consider the officers' pride that comes with the uniform and the car, turning on the blue and red lights for the first time and sounding the siren, he said.

"But is it worth it when we lose a loved one?"

Then he brought to mind the image of young Oz Decator, severely
beaten and abandoned beneath a house as a police officer held him close until medical assistance arrived. Ask that officer if it's worth it, he said.

Ask a child who can now sleep at night, no longer having to lie
with his eyes open, waiting for the footsteps to come down the hall in the middle of the night and rob him of his childhood. Ask him if it's worth it, Lynchard said.

"When we reflect on those questions, then and only then can we
answer the question: "Is it worth it?'"

Lynchard said he has spoken with numerous officers as they mourn the deaths of their colleagues. He said he has heard of no sad memories, but only laughter and war stories.

But "I can't tell you enough how families (of the fallen
officers) wonder day by day if their loved ones have been
forgotten," he said. "You have said today that they're not."

Tulsa Police Chief Ronald Palmer made a promise to the families
and friends of the officers who were killed: "I pledge to you that the TPD will always remember and celebrate the spirit of their service."

By this time next year a permanent memorial for the officers
should be present at the department's training center, 6066 E. 66th St. North, and there are plans for the service to be held annually.

The state of Oklahoma sponsors a memorial service every year in
Oklahoma City during National Police Week, which was May 11-17 this year, in memory of the state's slain officers. However, Tulsa police officials wanted their officers to be individually
recognized, said Mark Wollmershauser, honor guard coordinator.

Mary Hogle of Edmond and Jane Morgan of Tulsa attended on behalf of their grandfather, Officer Walter N. Clark, who was killed in 1936. Morgan said she thought the service was nice but said she wished more family members had attended.

Before 21 shots broke the mournful silence of the packed hall
and taps led them away until next year, Lynchard quoted John 15:13, reminding the officers present that "you are personified in the meaning of "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'"

Leading the family and friends in prayer, he added, "We ask your blessing on all those who remain here to carry on. For it is here that the badge shines the brightest."