Remembering Fallen Officers on Peace Officers Memorial Day

This week, 25,000 to 40,000 people will gather in Washington, DC during National Police Week to honor officers who have fallen in the line of duty. 

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which the date falls as National Police Week, according to the Police Week website.

"Police Week is super important to recognize the importance and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, especially our fallen heroes," said Steve Groeninger, senior director of communications for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

This year, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered the keynote address at the 25th Annual Candlelight Vigil on Monday, May 13.

“At our annual Candlelight Vigil, we honor all of the brave men and women of law enforcement who put the safety and protection of others ahead of their own—and who made the ultimate sacrifice in the process,” Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, said in a press release.

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The names of 321 U.S. law enforcement officers—120 who died in the line of duty in 2012 and 201 officers who died earlier—have been engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial as part of a wreath-laying ceremony to be held Wednesday.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)—a website dedicated to honoring men and women in law enforcement who have lost their lives while serving their communities—41 officers have been killed in 2013.

The site provides a database with names and stories of officers who have lost their lives throughout the United States, dating back to the early 1900s, including those who served in Wheaton, West Chicago and all over DuPage County.

Remembering Local Fallen Officers

The Wheaton Police Department has lost one officer: Patrolman Ronald Borg, who died November 16, 1966. He was 38. 

He was struck and killed by a train while pursuing a motorcycle on Main Street, according to the ODMP.

"The motorcycle drove around the railroad crossing gates at the Liberty Street intersection and Patrolman Borg followed. As he crossed the tracks his patrol car was struck by a Chicago and Northwestern freight train traveling approximately 55 mph. The driver of the motorcycle was identified but no charges were filed as he claimed he did not know that Patrolman Borg was pursuing him," according to ODMP.

Borg, who had served four years with the Wheaton Police Department, was survived by his wife and five sons. 

From the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, two officers have fallen in the line of duty. 

On September 27, 1929, Deputy Sheriff Ralph Manning Hoy and Chief Deputy Gordon Leonard died in an accident while transporting a prisoner, when their patrol car ran off the road and flipped, killing both deputies, according to ODMP. 

Hoy was 33. He was survived by his wife and two children. 

Leonard was 39. He had served with the sheriff's office for three years.

The West Chicago Police Department has lost three officers, including 23-year-old Michael Browning, who died April 20, 1992 after after responding to a burglary at a car dealership, according to ODMP. When he got out of his car and drew his weapon, a man driving from the showroom hit Browning. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison in August 2006.

Browning had served five months with the department. He was surved by his fiancee and parents. 

Reserve Officer Raymond Wilson was shot and killed July 25, 1965 while removing a man from Railroad Days at Reed-Keppler Park, according to ODMP. Wilson, who died at 43, served 15 months with the department. He was survived by his wife and son. 

While investigating a burglary at a lumberyard April 29, 1921, Chief George Riehm was shot and killed at age 57. Officials caught the suspect, who committed suicide before he could be charged, according to ODMP. 

Riehm had served the department for 10 years. 

In recognition of National Police Week, the Wheaton police and fire departments will at the Wheaton Police Department. The drive, operated by LifeSource Blood Services, will start at 8:30 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m.

For more information about fallen officers, go to the Officer Down Memorial Page. For more information about Police Week, go to the Police Week website.

Shaun Courtney contributed to this report.