The 24th Upper Peninsula Peace Officers Memorial was held at Munising High School

MUNISING — The Michigan State Police Negaunee Post, Alger County Sheriff’s Department, and Munising City Police Department hosted the 24th Upper Peninsula Peace Officers Memorial.

The 24th Upper Peninsula Peace Officers Memorial was held this morning at Munising High School.

The purpose of this event is to honor the memory of fallen officers, having made the ultimate sacrifice in their services to the public.

Not only was the event filled with families who had fallen officers in their lives but it was also filled with a large part of the community.

Most of these community members were students and they got to see firsthand what the event was truly about and the meaning of remembrance.

“You know just for the core purpose of the ceremony is remembrance of those that did give the ultimate sacrifice to serve them and all of us in the community,” said 1st Lt. Clint Michelin, Michigan State Police. “It means a lot when you have family members of some of these fallen officers sitting right in front of you. You know we honor them, their families and we grieve with them. Plus it gives the opportunity to see the community relations and the relations we have with not just the students but everybody here. That is vitally important as we serve the community.”

Everyone who attended got to experience a law enforcement processional and the roll call of fallen officers.

Attendees also got to be a part of the laying of the wreath, a performance of taps, a rifle salute, and a keynote speech by retired Ionia County Sheriff Terrence Jungel.

Now memorial events can be somber and sad but at the end it’s all about remembering the actions, risks and sacrifices people made to keep the community safe.

“I wish we didn’t have to have memorials,” explained Charles Nebel, Probate and Family Court Judge for Alger and Schoolcraft Counties. “But when we have loss a memorial is a great way to keep that spirit alive and to recognize and celebrate the contribution and sacrifices that was given.”

The event ended with a prayer and officers marching off out of the gymnasium.

Thank you to all who have served and all who have sacrificed for the safety of the U.P. communities.