By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The plaintive wail of bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” resonated outside Houlton’s police headquarters last Wednesday as some 30 local residents and uniformed personnel stood respectfully on the sloping grassy knoll to remember law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
HONOR GUARD — The honor guard assembled and marched to the ceremonial area which began the May 13 service honoring the ultimate sacrifice of American police officers.
The memorial, at the midpoint of National Police Week, was poignantly powerful and solemn to honor the service of the estimated 18,000—19,000 American law enforcement officers slain since recordkeeping began in the 1800s.
PLACING FLAGS — Members of the local American Legion Post 47 and many volunteers were placing United States flags on the gravesites of many veterans this past weekend. They placed nearly 1,000 flags in Houlton and nearby communities. Shown at Soldier’s Field on the Bangor Road are from left, veteran Kim Lenentine, Commander Calvin Mooers and Ken Lee, first vice-commander of Post 47.
Prior to the ceremony, Chief Butch Asselin spoke of the dangers faced by men and women who form the ultimate line of defense between society and criminals. “At every traffic stop you make, every door you walk through on a complaint, you don’t know what’s there. For every domestic violence call, the potential for danger is always there. We think of Maine as an area where nothing really happens. But, you have to remember that 82 police officers have been killed in the state of Maine.”
Coral Botting and Amanda Boulier, both of Houlton who signed up for the Citizens Police Academy, agreed it was important to attend the ceremony. Botting says she wants to be a police officer and added: “If I was ever down in the line of fire, I would want someone to remember me.”
Boulier also says she plans a career in criminal justice and attended “to support everybody who has been injured.” According to Department of Justice statistics, on average, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty every 57 hours somewhere in America.
Pioneeer Times photos/Elna Seabrooks
BENEDICTION — Above, Pastor Wayne Robertson of the Houlton Wesleyan Church gave the benediction for the memorial.
Town Councilor Sue Tortello said attending was a good way to show solidarity with the men and women in blue because the average person does not realize the demands and dangers police face when they pull someone over. She, too, is enrolled in the Citizens Police Academy.
After Asselin opened the ceremony, the honor guard entered with their crisp precision, flags waving in the light breeze and warm sunshine. Then, Pastor Wayne Robertson of the Houlton Wesleyan Church gave the benediction which was followed by a “remembrance speech” recognizing the career of retired and decorated Lt. Paul C. Cadigan of Massachusetts. His brother Robert stood with officials during the ceremony.
SALUTE OF RESPECT — Uniformed officers from the area, including the Presque Isle Police Department, the Mailiseet Tribal Police Department and the U. S. Border Patrol, joined Houlton’s officers in tribute.
After the playing of “Taps”, Asselin and Sgt. Fred Parker carried a memorial wreath on a stand and placed it near the flagpole. The bagpipes’ penetrating and mournful call on emotions, again playing “Amazing Grace,” was haunting as Asselin and Parker looked slightly downward to the wreath. They then gave a slow, purposeful memorial salute to their comrades who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Following the ceremony, James Bledsoe, an officer with the Maliseet Tribal Police Department said it was “important to remember our fallen brothers and participate with the Houlton police department.”
Benjamin Moreno, special operations supervisor for the U.S. Border Patrol, said he and fellow officers were there “to memorialize all the fallen officers in the state and the country who have served to protect others. It was a very solemn event and very moving.”
THEY REMEMBER — Onlookers watched Sgt. Fred Parker place a memorial wreath near the flagpole. A recording of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes played as Chief Butch Asselin and Parker gave a slow, focused memorial salute following placement of the wreath.