LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

  By Lt. Alan Bankston

 On Tuesday, May 15, 2001, a Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service was held in Bastrop, Louisiana.  The service was called to order by Alan Freeman, Chief of the Bastrop Police Department, and Danny McGrew, Sheriff of Morehouse Parish.  The Bastrop Police Department’s Honor Guard presented the “Posting of Colors”.  After the National Anthem and Invocation, Mayor Clarence Hawkins welcomed the attendees.  District Attorney Jerry Jones was the guest speaker for the ceremony.

 The ceremony was dedicated to the brave officers who gave the ultimate for law and order …. their lives.  Officers honored were David M. White, Sr. who died in 1944, from the Bastrop Police Department, Harland M. Bonner who died in 1984, from the Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office, George Douglas Johnston who died in 1997, from the Louisiana State Police, Troop F, and two agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Buddy Henderson, who died in 1996, and Joe Chandler, Sr. who died in 1999.  These outstanding officers are gone, but will NEVER be forgotten.