A new memorial in Reading’s City Hall honors those police officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty.
The dedication of the memorial on a wall inside police headquarters Wednesday was part of the city’s observation of National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day.
“National Police Week, and specifically Peace Officers Memorial Day, is a period designated to honor all law enforcement officers for their sacrifice in serving the public and remember those who have died or have been disabled in the line of duty,” Chief Elias Vazquez said.
The observation dates to 1962 when then President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week.
Eight Reading officers are known to have died in the line of duty.
“Their service and sacrifice are etched into the fabric of our community’s history,” Vazquez said. “Their commitment to public safety and their ultimate sacrifice as well as that of many law enforcement officers throughout our nation will never be forgotten.”
A new memorial inside police headquarters at Reading’s City Hall honors the 8 city officers killed in the line of duty since 1868.
(Courtesy of the city of Reading.)
The memorial consists of a center plaque featuring the poem “The Monument” by Sgt. George Hahn, retired, of the Los Angeles Police Department and the image of an officer kneeling at a grave.
It is surrounded by eight smaller plaques memorializing the following fallen officers:
Patrolman William Levan – End of watch, Feb. 27, 1868.
Patrolman Charles F. Finn – End of watch, May 11, 1905.
Patrolman John W. Kissinger – End of watch, Sept. 16, 1911.
Patrolman Henry C. Stoudt – End of watch, July 1, 1924.
Patrolman Thomas H. Kintzer – End of watch, Feb. 7, 1925.
Patrolman Olin J. Wait – End of watch, Sept. 2, 1972.
Patrolman Michael H. Wise II – End of watch, June 5, 2004.
Patrolman Scott Wertz – End of watch, Aug. 6, 2006.