An annual week of remembrance and celebration in honor of the 40 Southern Tier law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty is set to kick off.
Local law enforcement officials and members of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Memorial Association joined together on April 28 to announce the events of Police Week, an annual event organized by the association, which will include five events taking place May 4-9.
At the press conference, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said Police Week is a time for the community to consider the role law enforcement plays in the Southern Tier’s public safety.
“As mayor, as elected officials and as community members, it’s really incumbent on all of us to take a moment to pause, reflect and remember the sacrifices of those in law enforcement who gave their lives to support this cause and also the sacrifices of current law enforcement officers and their families who make sacrifices every day,” he said.
President of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Memorial Association Joshua Nytch said the week-long schedule of events is “centered around those law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
This year, Nytch said the association will be honoring Ithaca Police Investigator Michael Padula, who died in the line of duty nearly 30 years ago on Nov. 17, 1996.
Padula was killed during an armed barricade. According to Ithaca Journal archives, he was fatally stabbed while attempting to talk to a woman who had barricaded herself inside a bathroom. The woman was shot and killed at the scene. After Padula’s death, the Ithaca Police Department created the Critical Incident Negotiation Team to de-escalate similar situations.
Ithaca Police Chief Thomas J. Kelly said the week of events is an “incredible time to respect and honor those that have given their lives and fallen in the line of duty.”
“Any call officers go on could be that last call, and it’s a risk and it’s a sacrifice, but it’s for everyone, it’s for a higher calling and this memorial reminds us of that,” Kelly said.
Schedule of events
The week is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on May 4 by honoring Padula at Stewart Park in the City of Ithaca. Law enforcement agencies from around the Southern Tier will process from the Tompkins County 911 Center to the park, where there will be a flag raising and a wreath laying ceremony.
On May 5, a memorial breakfast and candlelight ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Binghamton. Retired Ithaca Police Deputy Chief Vincent Monticello will share stories about his time working with Padula, according to Nytch. Tickets are available for purchase on eventbrite.com.
Members of the public will then be able to join in on May 7 for a police week golf tournament beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Ford Hill Country Club in the Village of Whitney Point. The competition will continue on May 8 with a cornhole tournament beginning at 5 p.m. at the American Legion Post 1645 in Binghamton.
For the last day, Nytch said the association planned a day to “embrace the communities” served by local law enforcement. Community Day will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the upper parking lot of Dick’s House of Sport in Johnson City. There will be displays from local law enforcement agencies including police cars and equipment as well as food trucks, DJs and radio stations.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Southern Tier’s annual Police Week honors 40 fallen officers
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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