NEWS

Ceremony honors fallen city officers in light of National Police Week

Abbott Brant
Poughkeepsie Journal

Otto Albertson, Raymond Cleveland, and John Falcone, Jr.

Three City of Poughkeepsie police officers have died in the line of duty in the department’s history.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison speaks at a memorial ceremony commemorating fallen officers from the City of Poughkeepsie Police Dept.

“When our officers leave the house every day to come to the station and go to work, there is the chance they may not come home,” Mayor Rob Rolison, a former Town of Poughkeepsie detective said.

Members of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and civilians gathered Tuesday morning near the memorial stone at the department's headquarters to remember the three fallen officers.

READ MORE: A town pauses to remember those who protect it

In light of National Police Week, the ceremony was the opportunity to "honor and say thank you” to Albertson, Cleveland and Falcone, city police Capt. Steven Minard said.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year, the annual week of remembrance ran from May 11 through May 16.

READ MORE: Editor's column: It's important to do the right thing

Though erected in 2001, the city department's memorial stone carries a legacy which began in 1916.

Albertson, a 21-year veteran of the department, died responding to a Main Street fire in December 1916, according to Journal archives.

In September 1969, Cleveland responded to an emergency call. While attempting to make an arrest, Cleveland was kicked by the woman and collapsed, according to Journal archives. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital, having suffered from a heart seizure. He was a 27-year veteran of the department.

Forty-two years later, Falcone, an 18-year department veteran, responded to a call of shots fired near the Poughkeepsie Train Station. The gunman shot and killed his estranged wife and was holding their 3-year-old daughter. While attempting to take down the subject, Falcone was shot, and the subject then turned the gun on himself.

READ:Five years later, Det. John Falcone's service, sacrifice remembered

WATCH:VIDEO: Community honors Det. Falcone's service, sacrifice

The memorial commemorating fallen officers from the City of Poughkeepsie Police Dept. outside of the department building in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Rolison acknowledged it is not only the officers, but the families of these officers, who sacrifice their loved ones for the protection of the community.

He called for all members of the department to “protect one another.”

“What I have found since spending every single day in this position as mayor, is that this police force is respected in all corners of this city. You have a difficult job,” Rolison said. “Take care of one another first.”

Abbott Brant: abrant@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 8450437-4809; Twitter: @AbbottBrantPoJo