OTTAWA – Two local law officers who died in the line of duty were honored at Ottawa’s Police Memorial Service Monday evening at the First Baptist Church. The official motto of most law enforcement agencies is to “protect and serve,” and servanthood is a skill that police officers understand, often at great cost to themselves, Rev. Joel Fredrikson said. Although the service is part of the national Peace Officers Memorial Week, it honored Ottawa Police Capt. Robert C. Cowdin, who died in 1963 of a heart attack while trying to help control the Independence Day riot in Garnett, and Sheriff’s Deputy Samuel A. Smith, who died in July 2010 in a car crash near Williamsburg while responding to an emergency call. Last year, more than 170 officers died in the line of duty in the U.S., Chief Dennis Butler said. However, about 40 officers have died up through May, about half the number of deaths the same time last year, he said. Around 80 area officers and their families attended the service.
Monday, May 15, 5 p.m.
