Roll Call of Honor

Our Brother is Gone

Today is the day my brother was laid to rest. Today at the service, many of my other brothers were present. We gather, of late, much too often like this; these brothers of mine and I.

Today, the rows and rows of blue, of green and grey, the rows of brothers; each of us with a saddened heart, a lump in our throats, and no matter how hard we try to keep it from showing, each of us with tears in our eyes. Because today my brother was laid to rest, and today we feel once again the loss of someone of whom we could be proud, to whom we could relate, someone who cared, who understood, who loved and was loved. We shall miss our brother, but we, unlike many, will not let the passing of time cause us to forget him. We, unlike many, do not forget, because today when my brother was laid to rest, so also was a part of each of us.

Words can be written and songs can be sung, but there is no way that the deep personal sense of loss, the sincere caring, the ability to relate and truly feel the loss of a brother can accurately be expressed.

My brothers have come today from close and far.  My brothers have come today because they want to be here, because they feel the same deep emotional loss that I feel. No fraternal order of men can feel more genuine concern or emotion for a brother and his family than these brothers of mine. Today, when my brother was laid to rest, I was sad and yet proud. Sad and moved by the loss of a brother. Sad and feeling for his family and friends, but proud of him for his chosen career and proud to be a member of the Brotherhood of Police. Tomorrow, there will be other brothers of mine laid to rest. Tomorrow, there will be other widows and children to mourn their loved one, and I and my brothers know that we also will be there to mourn or perhaps be mourned. This we can accept because it is the Lord who controls the destiny of my brother and me. Written by Retired Montgomery County Police Captain  Douglas L. McFee, Sr. for the funeral of Montgomery County Police Detective Lieutenant Donald A. Robertson(March 9, 1972).

Roll Call of Honor – 2021

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Montgomery County Police held a virtual ceremony honoring and remembering the law enforcement officers in Montgomery County who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, while also remembering the loved ones and friends they left behind.
Please view the video: