FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 02, 2015


Law enforcement officers, families from across state remember fallen officers at Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial service

Names of two officers from Missouri who died in the line of duty during 2014 are added to memorial’s Wall of Honor

A Missouri police officer and a Missouri sheriff’s deputy who lost their lives in the line of duty during 2014 were remembered today during a solemn ceremony at the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol.

Law enforcement families, friends and officers from around the state gathered at the memorial overlooking the Missouri River as the names of Alton Police Officer Eddie Johnson, Jr. and Cedar County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew S. Chism were added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor during the 28th annual Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial Service.

Each year, the families of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in the previous year, and through decades, participate in the ceremony by placing white carnations in a wreath in honor of Missouri’s fallen heroes. Officers from agencies that have lost officers place individual wreaths at the memorial as their names are read aloud.

“There is no greater service or commitment to society than that of Missouri’s law enforcement officers who bravely work to preserve peace and protect the vulnerable across our state,” Attorney General Chris Koster said. “Each year, this ceremony reminds us of the terrible price these officers willingly bear and their families endure to ensure a safer Missouri.”

“Each day across Missouri, law enforcement officers put on a badge not knowing the risks they’ll face in order to carry out their oath to keep this state’s communities safe,” said Department of Public Safety Director Lane Roberts. “Today, we honor our state’s fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for their service and remember the families they left behind.”

On Friday, May 1, a candlelight vigil was held at the memorial in remembrance of all Missouri law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.  

The following law enforcement officer’s names were added to the memorial wall this year:

Eddie Johnson, Jr.

End of Watch: Oct 20, 2014

Rank: Police Officer (and volunteer Alton Fire Department Chief)

Department: Alton Police Department

Cause: Traffic crash

Age: 45

Years of Service: 10 years

On Oct. 20, 2014, Officer Johnson was killed in a single vehicle accident while responding in his patrol vehicle to a residential fire six miles west of Alton, Mo. He was a 10-year veteran of law enforcement, including nine years with the Alton Police Department. He also served as chief of the volunteer Alton Fire Department.

Matthew S. Chism

End of Watch: Nov 2, 2014

Rank: Deputy

Department: Cedar County Sheriff’s Department

Cause: Gunshot

Age: 25

Years of Service: 1 year and 10 months

On Nov. 2, 2014 Deputy Chism died from a gunshot wound following a vehicle pursuit, foot chase and a shootout in which the gunman was also killed in El Dorado Springs, Mo. He was a Cedar County Sheriff’s deputy for just under two years.

(Photos of the ceremony are available for use on the DPS Flickr site.
Album of photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/missouridps/sets/72157652311162441/
Slideshow of photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/missouridps/sets/72157652311162441/show )



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For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov