Fallen S.L. police officers honored

Lives that were lived with valor and freely given for others were honored at the Pioneer Precinct on Thursday.

Salt Lake City Police officers, family and friends gathered at Memorial Plaza on 1040 W. 700 South to honor those officers who have fallen while in action.

Salt Lake City police officers salute the flag during the national anthem as they and others gather at the annual Fallen Officers memorial services in Salt Lake City, Utah, Thursday. (August Miller, Deseret News)

“This is a day of reflection for those by whom we have been so well-served,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.

Becker, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, were in attendance to honor those who have given their lives for the safety of others.

“The loss of lives is a reminder to us of the debt we owe to those who protect,” Matheson said.

He noted how this day reminded him of a banner he once saw that said, ” In valor there is hope.” Matheson said the lives of those lost won’t be forgotten. “We truly celebrate their lives and their contributions.”

Police honored 24 officers who have fallen in the line of duty since 1858. Family members and loved ones took turns placing flowers on a display as names were read of those who have died. A stone memorial engraved with the names and dates the officers died stood as a focal point next to the floral display.

A small girl and her grandmother walked toward the memorial and placed a red flower in honor of the woman’s husband, Sgt. James Faraone, who was hit by a car just off Interstate 80 in 2001.

“As hard as it is to come here, it is good to have him and the family remembered,” said Kelly Faraone. As Faraone watched her granddaughter play, she recalled, “I have a picture of my husband hanging up at home, and (my granddaughter) always sees it and says, ‘There’s Poppa.’ ”

Faraone expressed how sometimes it is hard for her to be a grandma by herself, but she knows her husband left a great legacy for which his granddaughter will remember him.

While the program was emotional, it was also a time long awaited for family members like Lori Cawley, who said she thought it was “pretty cool” when Salt Lake police decided to honor her brother, James Cawley, who was killed in active duty as a Marine in Iraq in 2003.

“I love this day. I look forward to it every May,” Cawley said.

James Cawley was called to Iraq as a Marine reservist while serving as a Salt Lake police officer.

An American flag could be heard waving in the wind as silence fell on the crowd, and a police SWAT team fired a 21-gun salute in honor of the officers.

“This day helps us know how fragile life is and how important it is for us to stick together,” said Salt Lake City Council Chairman Carlton Christensen.

Part of the Salt Lake police mission statement is to maintain human rights and promote individual responsibility and community commitment. Becker said, “We need days like this to remind us we are in a society that is secured, unlike many others overseas.”

Becker noted he was surprised at how many citizens have mentioned to him that they are afraid of law enforcement.

To the many citizens who feel detached from officers, Chief Chris Burbank said, “We work best when we are a part of the community, not apart from the community.”

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