TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – The town police joined with some of their neighboring agencies to honor the fallen members of the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department during a solemn, rain-soaked ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
The department’s PBA has had a monument in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery since 1990, according to City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, who spoke at the event. Rolison, a retired town detective, was the PBA vice-president when the monument was installed and dedicated.
“It’s very good to come together,” Rolison said, adding “The community is coming together to recognize the sacrifices that our police officers make every single day for their communities, and their families’ sacrifices too.”
Rolison joined State Senator Sue Serino and Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Jay Baisley in addressing the crowd of current and retired police, their families, and members of the community. With Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officer and PBA President Kris Barnhart leading the wreath-laying ceremony, Supervisor Baisley said “Today we are honoring the nearly 50 members of the department that are etched on the memorial, including K9s.” He told those gathered “Police officers don’t only serve and protect to keep law and order but they take on the role of social workers, community organizers, protectors, mediators, and medical care providers on a daily basis,” while noting that the families of officers also make sacrifices by not having their family member at important gatherings such as birthdays and school events due to work schedules.
A formation of Town of Poughkeepsie officers and K9 handlers and dogs from surrounding agencies stood at attention while wreaths were laid and Taps were sounded during a torrential downpour that arrived midway through the ceremony.
