KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, as proclaimed by President Barack Obama. U.S. flags will be flown at half-staff today, and Governor Sean Parnell has ordered state flags to do the same. In addition, Parnell declared May 11-18 as Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
Nationally, 158 police officers were killed in the line of duty during 2011, and their names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.
There is one Kodiak police officer whose name appears on the memorial: Officer Gordon Brewster Bartel, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 15th, 1983, while issuing a citation to a man camping within city limits. Bartel Avenue, which connects Mill Bay Road with Rezanof Drive was named in his honor. Bartel’s killer was sentenced to 99 years in prison.
On the "Officer Down" memorial web page, Kodiak Police Chief T.C. Kamai wrote on Friday, "Officer Bartel, we remember you always."
