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made his third trip to Police Week with the CPD Honor Guard this year. The first time he came was in 2002, when the names of all the officers lost on 9/11 were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. He observed how that emo- tional experience is part of every Police Week service.
“It always leaves you with a heavy heart, but it’s an honor to be here,” he explained. “It’s sad, but we’re proud to remember the women and men who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
The CPD Honor Guard was formed in 1998 when then-Su- perintendent Terry Hillard saw grieving officers carrying one of the fallen at a funeral. He wanted a trained unit to perform such duties, and he put out a general call for officers to be- come part of the unit.
Many of those who first applied were former military. They went through marching, rifle and flag training, and the best 50 made the first squad. Since then, budget restrains have re- duced the unit to 28 officers, and they all convey the message that led to the honor guard’s inception.
“You don’t come on the honor guard just to look good in a uniform,” said Williams, a retired command sergeant major in the U.S. Army Reserves who is also an honor guard trainer. “We’re here to honor the fallen. That is our main reason for be- ing here. We train it into them; a lot of get it after a while. They understand why they are standing in the rain and the cold.”
After a few years of service, they also come to understand the family that is law enforcement. They come to Police Week for that feeling of camaraderie and unity that obviously cours- es through them when standing on line at attention.
“It inspires me to go out there every day because I know there is a wealth of generous support,” revealed Richard Ro-
bles, who has been with CPD Honor Guard for eight years and made his fourth visit to Police Week this year. “I tell them to pencil me in every year. I want to be available for this as long as I can.”
Having been part of the detail for 16 years, Ostrowski admits that it’s natural for him to be honor guarding at Police Week every year. “It’s like you’re supposed to be here,” he adds.
And their final detail truly reinforced the opportunity to serve. Police Week concluded with the National Peace Officers Memorial Service in front of the U.S. Capitol. President Trump addressed the family members and officers who made up the crowd of more than 10,000. As the president exited, he passed by the members of the CPD Honor Guard. They were proudly standing at attention. d
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