May 13, 2024 |
Photo – Rawlins Police Department – Bigfoot99 file photo
Today marks the beginning of National Police Week. The Rawlins Police Department will hold a special event this Thursday to honor fallen officers.
On October 1, 1961, the 87th Congress of the United States authorized President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Additionally, the week in which May 15th falls is considered National Police Week.
During last week’s Rawlins city council meeting, Mayor Terry Weickum read a proclamation declaring the week of May 12th through the 18th as National Police Week.
Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward thanked the council for the proclamation. Chief Ward said since its inception in 1961, National Police Week has served as a reminder of all the men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The police chief provided the number of fallen peace officers in Rawlins and across the country.
In its 138 years of existence, the Rawlins Police Department has lost three officers. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website, on April 20th, 1903, Lieutenant Thomas Kling and Officer John Baxter responded to a shots fired call at a local store. The owner of the store was known for being overly aggressive toward his neighbors and the police. When Officer Baxter and Lieutenant Kling entered the store, the owner ambushed them, shooting and killing both officers.
The store owner was convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of both officers and sentenced to 4 years in prison.
Lieutenant Kling was a veteran of the Spanish American War.
Ninety-three years later, on June 4, 1996, Lieutenant Delavan Lewis Dixon suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in the FBI Physical Fitness Challenge in Quantico, Virginia. Lieutenant Dixon was taking part in the 185th Session of FBI National Academy and was due to graduate ten days later.
Lieutenant Dixon served with the Rawlins Police Department for 16 years.
The Saratoga Police Department has not officially lost an officer in the line of duty.
In the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff Robert Widdowfield was killed when he and Special Agent Henry Vincents, of the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, were ambushed by Big Nose George Parrot and his gang on Elk Mountain.
Deputy Sheriff Widdowfield had been deputized that day to join a posse to search for the suspect. Big Nose George was eventually arrested for the murders, but was lynched in Rawlins before he could stand trial.
At last Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, Chief Ward announced a flag ceremony and open house at the Rawlins Police Station. The police chief invited everyone to attend this Thursday’s event.
An official statement by the City reads, “In the City of Rawlins, Wyoming we honor those law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, and let us recognize and pay respects to those survivors of our fallen heroes.”
The Rawlins Police Department’s flag ceremony and open house will be at 2:30pm, this Thursday, May 16th in front of the Rawlins Police Station, located at 215 5th Street. All are welcome to come and pay their respects to the men and women tasked with keeping the residents of Rawlins safe. Afterwards, the public will be invited to tour the police station.
