Members of the Juneau Police Department stand at attention to honor fallen officers on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Members of the Juneau Police Department stand at attention to honor fallen officers on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

First responders gather to honor fallen officers

Alaska Peace Officers Association holds annual memorial service.

Heavy rainfall couldn’t deter members of Juneau’s community and first responders from gathering to pay their respects to fallen officers.

The Alaska Peace Officers Association welcomed members of the Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire/Rescue along with family members and loved ones to join as the Association hosted a memorial service on Friday at Evergreen Cemetery.

Detective Kirt Stage-Harvey, past president of the Capital City Chapter of the Alaska Peace Officers Association, led the ceremony first in a moment of silence followed by an invocation by USCG Capt. Darwin Jensen along with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Stage-Harvey said the ceremony, which takes place nationwide, is a way of publicly expressing gratitude and appreciation for the service and sacrifice of fallen officers.

“This is a way for us to join in solidarity with the United States and say that we support our law enforcement officers,” Stage-Harvey said. “We support the work that they do and we grieve the loss of those who have given their life in the line of duty and we honor them.”

Lt. Krag Campbell salutes members of the Inter-Agency Honor Guard as wreaths were laid at the graves of Chief of Detectives Donald Thomas Dull and Officer Richard J. Adair on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Lt. Krag Campbell salutes members of the Inter-Agency Honor Guard as wreaths were laid at the graves of Chief of Detectives Donald Thomas Dull and Officer Richard J. Adair on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

After opening remarks were provided by Stage-Harvey, a reading of fallen officers was presented through an honor roll read by Sgt. Christopher Russel with the Alaska State Troopers accompanied by the tolling of a bell with each name from a member of the Honor Guard.

Wreaths were laid at the gravesite of two fallen Juneau officers, Officer Richard J. Adair and Chief of Detectives Donald Thomas Dull.

Following the wreath laying by the Inter-Agency Honor Guard, the keynote speaker, Assistant Superintendent Daryl Webster with the Lemon Creek Correctional Center, took to the lectern to address the crowd. He said service in law enforcement is often a thankless effort, however, members of the community who know they’re safe know those who serve are responsible for that safety.

Playing of taps was then performed by Troop 700 Scout Sven Rasmussen immediately followed by a benediction led by Jensen.

Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer said the annual ceremonies are not just important for recognizing fallen officers, but those continuing to make the selfless sacrifices for their communities all across the country, as well.

“They put their uniform on every single day, they go out and do their job and sometimes they pay the ultimate sacrifice,” Mercer said. “This is very meaningful for us to be able to come out every year and do this, even in the rain, to recognize our fallen officers across the country.”

• Contact reporter Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a capacity crowd at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on July 9, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Here’s what Trump, after 20 days of his second term, has done so far specifically affecting Alaska

Nixing rules that limit oil drilling, renaming Mt. McKinley, shaking up U.S. Coast Guard among actions.

President Donald Trump walks away from the podium after speaking about a plane crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during a news conference at the White House in Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. President Trumpճ remarks, suggesting that diversity in hiring and other Biden administration policies somehow caused the disaster, reflected his instinct to immediately frame major events through his political or ideological lens. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
All of the Trump administration’s major moves in the first 20 days

The New York Times is tracking the actions of President Donald Trump… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose outside Kodiak High School during their sweep over the Bears this weekend. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
JDHS boys topple Kodiak on the road

Crimson Bears sweep island Bears in two-game series.

Aaron Surma, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Council, gives a solo testimony to the Juneau Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
On top of a flat-funded BSA, Juneau Board of Education considers loss of local funding and grants

Principals and mental health advocate give feedback as the Juneau School District plans FY26 budget.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read