Hardin County Peace Officers Memorial Service Held

The Hardin County Peace Officers Memorial Service was held Monday morning on the east side of the Hardin County Courthouse downtown Kenton.

The service was held to remember law enforcement personnel who were killed in the line of duty.

There have been seven law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Hardin County. One Dunkirk Marshal, One Hardin County Deputy, Two Kenton Police Officers, One Ada Police Officer and Two Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers.

Their names were read by Lt. Scott Holbrook from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Scott Holbrook

The keynote address was presented by Hardin County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Christopher.

Judge Steve Christopher

The event also featured the playing of taps and a 21-gun salute.

Kenton High School Top 20 under the direction of Todd Daquino

Kenton’s Top 20 sang the National Anthem.

Hardin County Sheriff Keith Everhart

Hardin County Sheriff Keith Everhart said the ceremony was held in conjunction with National Law Enforcement Memorial Week, “I believe it’s only right that we honor those that have fallen in Hardin County and honor those that have fallen throughout the nation. This is a completely different world now and as we said there have been 42 line of duty deaths already in 2023. We had over 200 in 2022. This is not a safe job sometimes.”

While there is a national trend turning against law enforcement, Sheriff Everhart said Hardin County residents are still very supportive, “Very blessed here in Hardin County, and I think you would see that across the nation in rural areas. We’re still liked, we still get along with people. We’re held to task as we should be, but we have a great relationship with the citizens and want to continue to foster that, but no we don’t see that kike we do in the big cities, and I’m great with that.”

(pictures courtesy of Kolt Buchenroth)