Fallen Montco Police Officers Remembered In Horsham

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —For 25 years, the township has gathered to remember.

They've gathered to remember the service, the sacrifices, and the families left behind. And they've gathered to remember Montgomery County's "heroes" whose lives were cut short in the line of duty.

In a "Project Blue Light" ceremony before 150 people at the Horsham Township Community Center Tuesday night, they gathered to read the names of the county's 29 fallen police officers. And showcase a tree with blue lights in a nearby park.

"I've been to all 25 ceremonies," Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker said. "It certainly has evolved, from starting in a park, to the fire department battalion, and now the community center."

Walker said that the first ceremony had 25 lights, but four were added since that time.

"That's four too many," he told the crowd. "We will never forget the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice."

The event started with a procession of police motorcycles, a color guard from the Abington Police Department, and officers who circled the parking lot at the Horsham Township Municipal Complex before entering the community center.

Horsham Township Police Chief Scott Fida served as master of ceremonies.

Among the speakers were: Horsham Township Council President Mark McCouch, Walker, Montgomery County Commissioners Kenneth Lawrence and Jamila Winder, and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.

"It's so important to mourn and think about those lives lost," Steele said. "With those sacrifices, there's an empty spot at the table, and in hearts this holiday season. As we light the candles tonight, let's think about their service and sacrifice —and the lives of heroes."

The Simmons Elementary School's 5th Grade Chorus also performed and "Taps" was also played.

During the ceremony, a tree was lit directly across from the Horsham Township Municipal Complex in Deep Meadow Park. At the podium, candles were lit during a roll call of the 29 names of fallen law enforcement dating back to the early 1900s.

The names were read during the ceremony by Horsham Lt. John Potts with assistance from Detectives Kimberly Ngo and Michael Peter.

The tree was lit by retired Captain Joseph Repkoe and retired Detective Robert Waeltz, who were both instrumental in getting the event launched in Horsham.

Fida tipped his cap to the two retired officers who got the concept off the ground.

"Many faces have come and gone, but here we are. We are honored to have you leave us with this legacy," Fida told the officers, who stood up and received applause from the crowd.

"We're all in this together," Walker said. "We need to support our police. They're the only ones between law-abiding citizens and those who want to cause us harm. We enjoy the peace and safety that they make a better place for us to live. My hope is that there will still only be 29 when we gather next year and the same number when we gather again 25 years from now."

Project Blue Light is a nationwide observance begun more than 30 years ago by Dolly Craig of Philadelphia.

In 1988, Craig placed two blue candle lights in the window of her home: one in honor of her son-in-law, Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Gleason, killed in the line of duty in 1986; and one for her daughter Pam, Gleason’s wife, who died in an auto crash in 1988. The couple had six children.

Craig wrote of her simple gesture to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), an organization dedicated to families of fallen officers, which helped the idea take hold nationally.

"Let's say a special blessing for them and their families. We are very grateful for the service, courage, and commitment to our residents. It has been an honor to serve you for the past 20 years," said McCouch, who is wrapping up his council tenure. "We could not be more proud of you."

The officers lost in the line of duty are:

• Constable Daniel J. O'Brien —Abington Township Police, Aug. 8, 1904
• Officer Eugene J. Lucas —Conshohocken Borough Police, Aug. 13, 1917
• Officer Francis X. Roy —Lower Merion Township Police, Sept. 15, 1924
• Sgt. John M. Thomas —Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, May 8, 1927
• Officer Elwyn A. Fletcher —Lower Merion Township Police, June 9, 1927
• Patrolman Andrew W. Miller —Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, April 1, 1928
• Chief Warren M. Kramer —Hatboro Borough Police, Oct. 6, 1935
• Officer Edgar L. Peterson —Cheltenham Township Police, March 3, 1946
• Officer Thomas J. Matthews —Abington Township Police, June 29, 1949
• Officer John J. Plunkett —Jenkintown Borough Police, March 9, 1957
• Chief Robert E. Reilly —Norristown Borough Police, Sept. 9, 1959
• Trooper Francis M. Tessitore —Pennsylvania State Police, Aug. 5, 1960
• Chief John J. Culp —Lower Providence Township Police, Dec. 25, 1963
• Officer Thomas W. Corum —Pottstown Borough Police, Jan. 20, 1964
• Sergeant Francis J. Fanning —Lower Merion Township Police, July 6, 1966
• Officer Michael J. Saulin —Upper Merion Township Police, March 4, 1975
• Officer David J. Hancock —Montgomery Township Police, Dec. 11, 1976
• Officer Raymond Moscardelli —Ambler Borough Police, Jan. 20, 1977
• Sergeant A. Wesley Faust —New Hanover Township Police, May 22, 1977
• Corporal Leo M. Koscelnick —Pennsylvania State Police, Aug. 15, 1977
• Trooper Stanley E. Wesloski —Pennsylvania State Police, May 26, 1986
• Sergeant George F. Opelski —West Norriton Township Police, Sept. 13, 1986
• Officer Edward M. Setzer —Lower Merion Township Police, Sept. 20, 1988
• Officer Thomas M. Barone —Norristown Borough Police, Oct. 11, 1992
• Special Agent Charles L. Reed —F.B.I. Lansdale Office, March 22, 1986
• Officer Richard V. Lawn Jr. —Lower Gwynedd Township Police, July 28, 2003
• Sergeant James R. Miller —Upper Dublin Township Police, April 20, 2004
• Officer Bradley M. Fox —Plymouth Township Police, Sept. 13, 2012
• Trooper David Kedra —Pennsylvania State Police, Sept. 30, 2014

(Photos Courtesy of Horsham Township) Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker speaks at the "Blue Light Project" ceremony Tuesday night.

Horsham Township Police Chief Scott Fida served as the master of ceremonies.

A procession appears before the start of the ceremony in the parking lot of the Horsham Township Municipal Complex.