State Police Hold Memorial Service for Fallen Troopers
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: May 4, 2012
Dunmore, Lackawanna County - Dozens of people came together Friday morning in Lackawanna County to honor and remember Pennsylvania State Police Troopers who have died in the line of duty.
The PSP-Dunmore barracks held its annual Memorial Service. It is not the only one that is held in the region, but they all have the same goal.
"Sometimes I think the police officers and the state police, we go unrecognized quite a bit," retired trooper Harrison Balthaser said.
As a wreathe was laid outside the barracks, those in attendance remembered that every call they encounter could bring danger.
"You see day-by-day it's routine and it is to a point but there's always a danger out there and you never know what may come forward," Lt. Mark Lavelle said.
Besides remembering the fallen, Friday's ceremony was also about those troopers who have dedicated their lives to the force and have since retired.
"I run into guys that I haven't seen since I retired," retired trooper Michael Huffstutler said. "It's good to see them again. It's good to know that we're all still alive and we still have our roots buried in the Pennsylvania State Police."
"It gives the active people, especially the new people, a chance to meet the retirees who they've never met before and tell stories," Lt. Lavelle said.
