FOP hosts Law Enforcement Memorial Service
The Miami County Commissioners and members of the Miami County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #58 honored Miami County’s fallen law enforcement officers on Wednesday, May 6, during the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service held at Courthouse Plaza.
“We are here to recognize and honor our fallen officers who have given their lives in the line of duty in Miami County, along with recognizing all fallen law enforcement officers who have given their lives to protect and serve their communities,” FOP #58 president Sergeant Jeff Wait said. “We are also here to recognize and honor the sacrifices made by the families of our fallen officers.”
The ceremony was presented by Miami County FOP Lodge #58 and featured a performance of the National Anthem by vocalist Cheryl Queen, as well as a reading of the poem “A Full Measure of Emotion” by Miami County Commission Vice-President and FOP #58 Chaplain Greg Simmons.
The service included a roll call and placement of flowers honoring eight fallen Miami County law enforcement officers, including Marshall Harvey Hake, Patrolman George Eickmeyer, Lieutenant Noah D. Studebaker, Patrolman Jan Mulder, Sergeant William R. Morris, Detective Robert C. Taylor, Sergeant Robert L. Elliott and Ohio State Patrol Inspector Kimra J. Skelton.
“Our memorial carries the names of eight law enforcement officers,” Wait said. “The earliest recorded line of duty death in Miami County was in 1917; the latest was in 2019. I’m thankful that we made it another year without adding to that list.”
The service also featured a performance of “Amazing Grace” by retired Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Del Braund, and a performance of “Taps” by honorary Miami County FOP member Mike Ullery.
“Each year across this country, officers are lost in the line of duty,” Miami County Commission President Wade Westfall said. “To date, 30 officers have lost their lives this year alone; last year, 111 officers.”
“Over time, 27,348 names have been recorded,” he said. “Behind every one of those names is a family, a department, and a community that was changed forever.”
“We also recognize the officers here today who continue the mission,” Westfall said. “Because it’s not only about remembering the fallen; it is about honoring those who still carry the badge knowing exactly what it represents.”
County Commissioner Ted Mercer delivered a proclamation from the commission, designating May 11 through May 16 as National Police Week in Miami County.
“Today we gather to honor the law enforcement officers of Miami County, who have given their lives in the line of duty,” Mercer said. “Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten.”
“We remember not only their service, but their lives; the families they cherished, the communities they protected, and the legacy they leave behind,” he said. “As we reflect on their sacrifice, we also recognize the continued dedication of the men and women in law enforcement who serve Miami County each day.”
SIDEBAR/INFO BOX
Honoring the Fallen
A total of eight Miami County law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty, including:
Marshall Harvey Hake
Covington Police Department
DOB: Oct. 16, 1862
EOW: Jan. 12, 1917
Marshall Hake was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on a warrant and minor violations of the law for nonpayment.
The suspect was convicted of Marshall Hake’s murder and ordered by Judge W.D. Jones to be executed by electrocution before sunrise on June 22. 1917.
According to his death certificate, Marshall Hake was killed at 11 p.m. on January 11, and the coroner "viewed the body" on January 12, 1917. Hake was shot in the right eye by Albert Clark (murderous intention), to which was the interesting comment made by the coroner. As reported, Marshall Hake was shot through the glass of a door to the pool hall that was located in Covington at the time and was owned by Clark.
He was buried in the Gettysburg Cemetery in Darke County.
Patrolman George Eickmeyer
Tipp City Police Department
DOB: Oct. 18, 1872
EOW: Sept. 17, 1945
Patrolman Eickmeyer was killed when his patrol car was struck by a Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad train at the German Street crossing at approximately 11 p.m. It is believed that he was attempting to exit his patrol car when he was struck, as his body was dragged a considerable distance down the track. Patrolman Eickmeyer had served with the Tipp City Police Department for 5 years. His final resting place is in Maple Hill Cemetery in Tipp City.
Lieutenant Noah D. Studebaker
Piqua Police Department
DOB: May 2, 1900
EOW: October 17, 1957
On May 29, 1949, Lt. Studebaker and Patrolman Ed Henderson were dispatched to a burglary in progress at the Hemm Brothers Garage at 119 N. Main Street. As the officers approached the business, a man came out of the shadows and shot both officers with a shotgun. Lt. Studebaker suffered multiple shotgun wounds to the face, neck, and chest. He was able to crawl a short distance; however, he was lying next to the getaway car. The gunman found Lt. Studebaker lying on the ground and shot him again in both legs.
He never recovered fully from his wounds, and he accepted a disability retirement on March 1, 1950. Lt. Studebaker suffered from chronic complications of the shotgun wounds, and his health continued to deteriorate until he died on October 17, 1957. His final resting place is in Forest Hill Cemetery and Arboretum.
Patrolman Jan Mulder
Piqua Police Department
DOB: September 20, 1938
EOW: August 11, 1970
Patrolman Jan Mulder was born in the Netherlands. As a child, Jan lived under the fascist rule of the Nazis who occupied his homeland. During WWII his family aided Jewish families by hiding them from the Nazis to prevent them from being sent to concentration camps.
On August 11, 1970, Jan was on foot patrol in the downtown area. He saw a suspicious person entering the Fort Piqua Hotel and stopped him in the lobby. The man pulled a gun and fatally shot Jan, but before he collapsed, Jan was able to fire one shot at his attacker as he fled. His assailant, identified as Sammy Cantrell, later died from that wound at the hospital. Jan left behind a wife and four small children, as well as many friends. His final resting place is in Forest Hill Cemetery and Arboretum.
Sergeant William R. Morris
Miami County Sheriff’s Office
DOB: January 30, 1930
EOW: November 22, 1972
Sergeant William Morris was shot and killed while responding to a call involving two juveniles on County Road 25A just north of State Route 571 in Tipp City. Sgt. Morris ordered the juveniles to the ground at gunpoint, and the 15-year-old raised an M1 Carbine rifle above his head, claiming it was unloaded. He lowered the rifle and fired on Sgt. Morris.
Sergeant Morris and the suspect circled the cruiser, each firing until Sgt. Morris was hit and knocked into the ditch alongside the road. The 16-year-old jumped into the cruiser and drove a short distance before backing up and firing two more rounds into Sgt. Morris. The juvenile later committed suicide with the same rifle after being surrounded by other officers in a barn along County Road 25A.
His final resting place is Miami Memorial Park in Covington.
Detective Robert C. Taylor
Piqua Police Department
DOB: April 21, 1932
EOW: November 3, 1982
Detective Robert C. Taylor joined the police department on September 9, 1956. He was the first officer to be appointed to a detective assignment, and was the senior officer of the department, and wore the coveted #1 badge. Detective Taylor was the Piqua Police Officer of the Year in 1979.
On November 2, 1982, after more than 26 years of service, Detective Taylor was participating in department training exercises. The exercise consisted of strenuous activity that included running and shooting multiple firearms while being timed. Detective Taylor completed the course and had moved off of the range.
Within a minute or so, Detective Taylor suffered a fatal heart attack. CPR was performed by his fellow officers, however Detective Taylor passed away late that night at the Piqua Memorial Hospital. His final resting place is in Forest Hill Cemetery and Arboretum.
Sergeant Robert L. Elliott
Miami County Sheriff’s Office
DOB: June 19, 1950
EOW: February 25, 1987
Robert Elliott was a sergeant for the Miami County Sheriff’s Office and worked for the department for 15 years. He was killed in the line of duty at age 36 while guarding a prisoner at Stouder hospital when the prisoner requested to take a shower and suddenly grabbed Sgt. Elliott’s .357 magnum revolver as Sgt. Elliott was removing the prisoner’s restraints. A struggle ensued, and the suspect shot Sgt. Elliott in the chest. Sgt. Elliott was transferred to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he soon died of his wounds. The suspect escaped from the hospital and later was located over the state line in Kentucky. The suspect had a shootout with Kentucky police and subsequently committed suicide. Sgt. Elliott was survived by his wife, two daughters and one son.
On April 29th, 2014, the Ohio Governor signed SB 226 making SR 41 between Troy and Covington the Sheriff’s Sergeant Robert “Bobby” Elliott Memorial Highway. His final resting place is in Riverside Cemetery in Troy.
Kimra J. Skelton
Ohio State Patrol
DOB: March 17, 1970
EOW: Nov. 27, 2019
The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced the tragic loss of Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector Kimra J. Skelton, of Arcanum, following an on-duty traffic crash in Miami County.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:47 a.m. on Interstate 75 in the city of Troy. Skelton was parked in a crossover when her vehicle was struck by a 2017 Ford F-150 that was traveling northbound. The truck, driven by an individual out of Kettering, traveled off the left side of the road and struck Skelton’s patrol vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was later transported to Kettering Medical Center in Troy. Skelton was a member of the State Patrol since October 2005. She is survived by her husband and two children. Her final resting place is in Arcanum.
*Information/photos courtesy of Miami County Law Enforcement Memorial Service pamphlet provided by Miami County FOP Lodge #58.
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