Photo by L. ParsonsLt. Ken Arend of the Winslow Police Department (foreground) was one of many officers taking part in the Police Memorial Day ceremony held last week. Agencies participating included the WPD, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Photo by L. ParsonsLt. Ken Arend of the Winslow Police Department (foreground) was one of many officers taking part in the Police Memorial Day ceremony held last week. Agencies participating included the WPD, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

May 15 was declared Police Memorial Day in Winslow by Mayor Robin Boyd in conjunction with National Police Week, which is May 14-20.

Fallen officers were honored with a wreath laying ceremony at Desert View Cemetery in Winslow. Retired Winslow Police Department evidence custodian Vivian Stinson placed the wreath.

The Law Enforcement Honor Guard comprised of members of the DPS, NCSO and WPD presented a 21-gun salute to commemorate officers killed in the line of duty, and Officer Alejandro Barron performed Taps at the conclusion of the salute.

Approximately 50 supporters of law enforcement attended the ceremony and were treated to remembrance from retired Police Chief Stephen Garnett and Sergeant Ken Havlicek, as well as words from City Manager Steve Pauken and outgoing Interim Chief Chris Vasquez.

Sergeant Jason Thermen read aloud fallen officers’ names, which included Deputy Robert Varner Jr., who was killed in the line of duty in 1989. Varner’s family was presented with the tri-cornered flag in his honor.