Remembering the fallen

LEWISTOWN — Friday, in Philadelphia, mourners waited in the pouring rain to mark the passing of a police officer slain in the line of duty.

Those scenes of loss — the flag-draped coffin, officers standing at attention — brought home the meaning of a small service held Friday in Lewistown.

Each year the law enforcement community of Mifflin County holds a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officials. Each year the officers dutifully read off the names of the fallen in memorial.

This year the list was longer than in years past — 187 names from across the country. Thankfully, this year did not include the names of any local officers, but each carries its own story.

Like that of Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, laid to rest Friday, fatally shot in the line of duty.

Sgt. Liczbinski had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 12 years before he was killed while responding to a bank robbery in Philadelphia. According to an account on the national police memorial Web page, Liczbinski’s last words were to tell his wife that he loved her.

Speakers at the Mifflin County remembrance said it was a close-to-home reminder of the daily dangers of law enforcement.

“Every officer’s life is a gift,” said Pastor Kari Swigart, of Trinity United Methodist Church, a police pastor and a speaker Friday. “Each of these deaths is a tremendous loss.”