Law enforcement members from more than 20 departments and their supporters ga thered Friday at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township for a solemn service to honor their fallen colleagues.
The Police Memorial Service is conducted the first Friday of May by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 71 at the police monument, the base of which is etched with the names of local law enforcement officers who have died.
Addressing the gathering, lodge President Joseph M. Brown described the ceremony as a unifying tradition, a place where officers and families can gather in reflection, and a reminder to all who visit the park of the sacrifices made in service to the community.
Joseph M. Brown, president of Berks Lodge #71, offers remarks during the lodge’s Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
During the ceremony, Lt. Sean Fullerton of the Exeter Township Police Department slowly read the names of the fallen as the memorial was surrounded by the Berks FOP honor guard, color guard and a squad of police officers who marched in unison from the parking lot.
Family, friends and former colleagues of the fallen placed red carnations at the monument Fullerton read the names of the deceased. Bagpipers and drummers played “Amazing Grace” following taps.
The Berks Lodge #71 Firing Detail gives a 21-gun salute during the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Hamilton Pipe and Drum Band leads the honor guard to the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Berks Lodge and Berks Coutny Sheriff’s Honor Guard march to the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Joseph M. Brown, president of Berks Lodge #71, offers remarks during the lodge’s Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Joseph M. Brown, president of Berks Lodge #71, offers remarks during the lodge’s Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Donna Eveland, widow of former Wyomissing Hills Police Chief Robert Eveland, places a carnation at the memorial with her grandson Blake, 18, as Lt. Sean Fullerton of the Exeter Township Police Department reads the names of deceased officers during the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Berks Lodge and Berks County Sheriff’s Honor Guards salute during the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Berks Lodge and Berks County Sheriff’s Honor Guards salute during the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Berks Lodge #71 Firing Detail gives a 21-gun salute during the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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The Hamilton Pipe and Drum Band leads the honor guard to the Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Friday, May 1, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)