Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, District Attorney David Hoovler and Sheriff Carl E. DuBois attended the 2018 Orange County Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Friday, May 4th.

Several County Legislators also were present at the event, which was held at the entrance to the Orange County Courthouse on the campus of the Government Center.

“This important event reminds all of us that every day, our police officers put their lives at risk to serve and protect,” Neuhaus said. “They wake up in the morning, say goodbye to their families, and put themselves in harm’s way. This memorial helps us to show our gratitude and support to all members of the law enforcement community.”

(Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus speaks at the 2018 Orange County Law Enforcement Memorial Service)

Approximately a dozen law enforcement agencies attended the memorial service. Featured speakers at the one-hour event included Neuhaus, Hoovler and DuBois. The annual service, hosted by the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, Jason Conklin Memorial Lodge, #957, honored Orange County’s 30 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and whose names have been enshrined on two memorial walls outside the courthouse.

The service also paid tribute to the families of fallen law enforcement officers. Jason Conklin, an officer with the Tuxedo Police Department, died in a line of duty police vehicle accident in August of 1997. The Memorial Lodge was formed in his honor shortly after his death and has more than 600 members, including representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

“Tonight, we pause to honor and remember our fallen brothers and sisters in arms and to keep faith with their families and friends,” DuBois said. “We pledge that we will always remember the sacrifices they made to keep our community safe.”

At this year’s service, the names of New York Police detectives Thomas F. Weiner of Maybrook and Christopher Strucker of Montgomery were added to the wall. Both perished from World Trade Center-related illnesses. Their deaths were subsequently designated line of duty by the NYPD. Weiner and Strucker were first responders during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They also performed duties related to the search and recovery effort at Ground Zero in the months following the attack.

“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep us safe,” Hoovler said. “As a former police officer, I understand what that risk entails. This service provided an opportunity to honor those brave men and women who protect and serve every day and to pay tribute to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as to support their families and friends.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.

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