Officers honor fallen

Local police including Dublin (right), Stephenville, Erath County Sheriff’s Officer Tarleton, Highway Patrol and Constables gathered at Stephenville’s Paradigm building Tuesday for the third annual Erath County Peace Officers Memorial Service. Representatives from each agency read the names of Erath officers who historically died in the line of duty and officers around the state who passed in 2021. It was reported that 12 Texas officers died in action in 2021 and 105 fell from COVID. Stephenville Chaplain Ken May delivered the invocation, praying for America to a nation of law and order while pastor Ed Dittfurth had all officers put a hand on the shoulder of the officer next to them to recognize that they are there to support each other. As a memorial wreath was laid, Tarleton officer Casey Heath played “Amazing Grace” on the bag pipes and Gabby Nguyen played “Taps” on the trumpet. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo