This Thursday is Peace Officers Memorial Day. There will be a memorial service at Jerry Ivey Park in Salina that begins at 8am to honor all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, not only across the nation and state of Kansas, but five men who gave their lives while on duty in Salina and Saline County. They are:
Patrolman Jerry Ivey was shot and killed on June 13th, 1975, by a suspect armed with a Browning high-powered 9-mm semi-automatic pistol after he attempted to stop a car used in a robbery moments earlier. The suspect sprayed Patrolman Ivey with mace and the two exchanged gunfire. As Patrolman Ivey reached for his shotgun he was shot in the back. The suspect was later apprehended.
Sheriff Fred Bell suffered a fatal heart attack September 17th, 1952, while struggling to subdue a prisoner. Sheriff Bell and the Undersheriff were escorting the prisoner, one on either side, to the Saline County District Courtroom to face a trial for murdering his wife. While being walked to the courtroom the man threw back his elbows, striking both men in the face. Sheriff Bell suffered the heart attack during the attack. Sheriff Bell had been with the agency for four years.
Patrolman Olney Eaton was struck and killed by a vehicle May 31st, 1942, while crossing a street after talking with two other officers.
Patrolman Tom Carson was shot and killed November 29th, 1920 while on night patrol by a man he was evicting from a Union Pacific train. The suspect was apprehended later in the evening by Union Pacific police as he attempted to board a freight train.
Patrolman John Stonebraker were shot and killed February 11th, 1917 as he and Police Chief responded to a public disturbance. As they entered a room in the home the suspect opened fire, killing Patrolman Stonebraker and wounding the Chief.
The memorial service is open to the public and the public is strongly encouraged to attend.
(Pictures left to right are Jerry Ivey, Fred Bell, Olney Eaton, and John Stonebraker. A picture of Tom Carson is not available)