A Hopkinsville Police officer, along with five other law enforcement officers from across the state, who lost their lives in the line of duty last year, will be honored at the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation ceremony Thursday at Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.
Hopkinsville Police Officer Phillip Meacham was shot and killed on Paulette Court on March 29, 2018, while detaining a suspect. Other officers shot and killed last year that will be honored are from police departments in Hickman, Pikeville, Barren County, Jefferson County, and Louisville Metro.
In addition, state officials say six historical honorees will be added to the monument this year.
Opening remarks at the ceremony will be given by Kentucky Governor Leuitenant Governor Jenean Hampton and the keynote speaker will be the daughter of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Officer Douglas Bryant, who was killed in the line of duty in May 2003 during a vehicle pursuit, Kiana Bryant Brown.
This is the 20th annual remembrance ceremony, hosted by the Department of Criminal Justice Training and in conjunction with the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation. The Foundation seeks to recognize all Kentucky peace officers who gave their lives in service to the commonwealth. The monument will hold 553 names after this years’ additions.
The memorial foundation was established in 1999 to build the monument to Kentucky officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Once the monument was completed in 2000, the organization expanded its efforts to include an ongoing financial endowment program, which helps Kentucky peace officers and their families with educational, medical and emergency needs.
The ceremony will be conducted at 11 a.m. EST at the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial monument site.
