Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement to hold 13th Annual Memorial Service for Fallen Police Officers

(Washington, D.C.) -- The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Law Enforcement Services (OLES) will hold its 13th Annual Memorial Service on Thursday May 6, 2004, to commemorate the sacrifice made by law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while serving on Indian lands. The Memorial Service will start at 10:00 A.M. MDT on the BIA Indian Police Academy grounds in Artesia, New Mexico.

"Each year we add names of fallen officers to the BIA Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial," Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Dave Anderson said. "It pays tribute to their sacrifice and it reminds us that freedom from crime is not free and bravery is not borne by the weak."

The keynote address will be provided by Robert Ecoffey, Deputy Bureau Director, BIA Office of Law Enforcement Services. Others speakers for the memorial will be Randy Beardsworth, Director of Operations for Border and Transportation, Department of Homeland Security. Michael Carroll, President, Interaction Association of Chiefs of Police. Larry Parkinson, Deputy Assistant Secretary Law Enforcement and Security, Department of the Interior.

This year, two names of fallen officers will be added to the granite stones to join eighty-four other law enforcement officers, whom have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1852. The names of Adam Hawk and John "HOH" Williams who served the Quinalt Tribal Police Department in Taholah, Washington will be added to the memorial. Officer Hawk and Officer Williams were shot and killed on February 28, 1910, by a suspect in an indecent liberties case. Officer Williams was shot while investigating the assault of the young girl. Officer Hawk was ambushed while transporting the victim from the reservation.

The Indian Country Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial site is constructed with Native American symbolism and traditional plants incorporated into the design. The three granite stones are surrounded by a cement/aggregate surface forming a circle around the vertical slabs with an opening to allow for access. Sage, a plant with spiritual significance, is planted in the four directions to consecrate the hallow ground. Four planter areas are filled foliage surrounded by white, red, yellow, and black stones to signify the four colors of mankind on the Earth.

The original Indian Country Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial was dedicated on May 7, 1992 at the BIA's Indian Police Academy (IPA), in Marana, Arizona. The Memorial was later moved to Artesia, New Mexico and re-dedicated on May 6, 1993 when the BIA Indian Police Academy was relocated to New Mexico.

A 750 person department, the BIA Office of Law Enforcement Services provide uniformed police services, detention operations, and criminal investigation of alleged or suspected violations of major federal criminal laws in Indian Country.

For specific information or directions to the event call 505-748-8153.

Who: Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Law Enforcement Services

What: 13th Annual Memorial Service for Fallen
Law Enforcement Officers

When: Thursday May 6, 2004 10:00 A.M. MDT

Where: BIA Indian Police Academy
1300 West Richey Avenue
Artesia, New Mexico

Note to Editors: Credentialed media covering the event should be in place by 9:45 a.m. Press seating will be provided. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m.