On the Job 

The pipes and drums rendition of Amazing Grace at the 2017 Ohio Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony brought on tears for Andria Velez, 22, who attended the May 4 event to honor her father, Trooper Kenneth Velez of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“It was very emotional,” she said. “This month has been extra hard all over again.” Andria and other members of her family made the trip to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in London, where Trooper Velez and four other officers who died in the line of duty in 2016 were honored along with seven historical inductees and five K-9s. The Velez family is also planning to attend several other memorial services in the coming weeks, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington.

Andria stressed that she is doing her best not to miss classes at Kent State University, where she is majoring in physical therapy as part of a pre-med course of study. She hopes to become a doctor. “Dad would kick our butts if we missed school,” said Andria, who has two brothers.

While such events are stressful, Andria said, “I think it helps. You see other families going through the same thing.”

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine offered words of comfort to the families of Velez, Officer Aaron J. Christian, Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr., Officer Sean R. Johnson, and Officer Steven M. Smith.
 
“When a peace officer dies in the line of duty, we all feel the loss deeply.  And whether they were linked to our lives through family or friendship, their loss leaves a void that is difficult to navigate and impossible to measure,” he said.
 
“We can never fully repay these officers. We do our best to honor their commitment and sacrifice. We remember how they embraced their oath of service with courage, clarity, and conviction. And we pray that those who are left behind may someday be blessed with peace and comfort.”
 
Among the others speakers was Deputy Seth McDowell of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, who understands what the surviving family members are going through. When he was 8 years old, he lost his father, Officer Terry McDowell of the Whitehall Division of Police, who died in the line of duty.

“I remember waking up, Aug. 25, 2001, to my life being changed forever,” he said.
Support from family, friends, and law enforcement, helped him cope with the loss.

“As a survivor, I have had the privilege of joining Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors,” he said. “These organizations are dedicated with helping survivors cope with the tragedy of losing a loved one in the line of duty and for never allowing someone to feel that they are alone.”

To the families of the fallen officers, McDowell said, “Time does heal wounds. You can continue to move forward and make a difference.”
 

The Honorees

Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr.
Danville Police Department
 
On Jan. 17, 2016, Officer Cottrell, 34, was ambushed and killed in the parking lot of the village municipal building.
 
Officer Steven M. Smith
Columbus Division of Police
 
On April 10, 2016, Officer Smith, 54, was shot while providing cover for other officers during a standoff situation. He died on April 12, 2016.
 
Officer Sean R. Johnson
Hilliard Division of Police
 
On May 19, 2016, Officer Johnson, 46, died in a motorcycle crash during a training exercise.
 
Trooper Kenneth Velez
Ohio State Highway Patrol
 
On Sept. 15, 2016, Trooper Velez, 48, died after being struck by a car while conducting a traffic stop on I-90 in Cuyahoga County.
 
Officer Aaron J. Christian
Chesapeake Police Department
 
On Sept. 18, 2016, Officer Christian, 24, lost control of his cruiser and crashed. He died on Oct. 18, 2016.

Historical Inductions

Chief Marshal John M. Cone, Canfield Police Department, July 17, 1880
Patrolman John Manning, Columbus Division of Police, Nov. 17, 1888
Deputy Marshal Carl M. Etherington, Granville Police Department, July 8, 1910
Game Warden John C. Wagner, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Oct. 1, 1916
Chief Frederick F. Kundts, Columbus Division of Police, March 22, 1936
Marshal Frank Wilson, Beverly Police Department, Jan. 15, 1949
Constable Roy E. Carter, Miami Township Police Department, Aug. 6, 1966
 

K-9 Inductions

Jethro, Canton Police Department
 
On Jan. 9, 2016, K-9 Jethro was shot while responding with his handler to a burglary. He died on Jan. 10, 2016.
 

Historical K-9 Inductions

K-9 Condor, Cincinnati Police Department, Oct. 30, 1975
K-9 Spock, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Feb. 15, 1994
K-9 Luko, Canton Police Department, Feb. 14, 1998
K-9 Udet, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Nov. 9, 2015