Police Officer Memorial Day Service held in honor of fallen officers

JOHNSONBURG - Law enforcement officers and their families gathered together Monday afternoon in downtown Johnsonburg in memory of fallen police officers for the 2022 Police Officer Memorial Day.

The event, which was held at the Holy Rosary Fellowship Hall due to the inclement weather, was led by Philip Hoh, president of the Ducktail Lodge #96, Fraternal Order of Police.

Hoh explained the day was first marked in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy as The National Peace Officers Memorial Day during the National Police Week, which is during the calendar week of May 15.

“We, as they have, dedicated ourselves to the motto, ‘Law is the Safeguard of Freedom,’

and attend this most solemn ceremony in the absence of our departed brothers and sisters to reaffirm our commitment that they are never forgotten,” Hoh said.

Hoh reported as of December 31, 2021, a total of 458 federal, state and local law enforcement officers died in the line-ofduty in 2021. This is an increase of 55% from the 295 officers killed during the same period last year, and is the highest total line-of-duty officer deaths since 1930 when there were 312 fatalities.

“This year’s statistics demonstrate that America’s front-line law enforcement officers continue to battle the deadly effects of the

COVID-19 pandemic nationwide,” Hoh said. “”Preliminary data shows that some 301 officer fatalities have been identified as caused by COVID-19 this year, and this number appears to increase almost daily.”

According to Hoh, COVID-19-related fatalities continue to be the single highest cause of law enforcement deaths occurring in 2021.

He added that trafficrelated fatalities last year also continue to be a cause for concern with 58 traffic-related fatalities, an increase of 38% compared to the 42 deaths during the same period last year.

“Tragically, struck-by fatalities have increased by an extraordinary 93% over the last year,” Hoh said. “In 2021, 84 officers died from felonious

assaults, including 61 officers who were killed by firearms, 11 officers killed in struck-by traffic incidents and three killed in auto crashes where the subject was either fleeing the police or an intoxicated driver was involved.”

In addition to honoring officers nationwide, the event honored Patrolman, Steven Jerman of the Kane Borough Police Department, Sergeant David Distrola of the Bradford City Police Department, and Officer Carl Harold Whippo, of the Johnsonburg Borough Police Department.

Jerman was shot and

killed on February 20, 1999 after making a traffic stop of a car that was speeding and tailgating.

Distrola was killed when he fell from an overpass as he attempted to avoid being struck by another car. He was investigating an accident on the Route 219 bypass when another vehicle lost control on ice and started to slide towards him. He fell as he attempted to get out of the way.

Whippo was shot and killed inside of the police station on Market Street in Johnsonburg when a man entered and opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun.

“With our utmost respect for the courage and commitment of all who have gone before us, may we not only

on this day remember them, but also the Law Enforcement families they have all left behind.” he concluded.