Honoring
the Fallen
By Patrick McArdle
ITTSFORD — Every year offi cers from
around the state gather in Pittsford
to honor police and law enforcement
who have died in the line of duty. This year
was no different, as Gov. Phil Scott and
U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan spoke at the
Vermont Police Academy during National
Police Week in May.
A wreath marking the loss of almost
40 law enforcement offi cers, including
three canine units, was decorated with a
fl ower for each offi cer at the Vermont Law
Enforcement Offi cers’ Memorial Ceremony.
The governor said he had “always been in
awe of those who put themselves in harm’s
way.”
“When most of us see a threat, our
natural instinct is to run away from it.
But our military, fi rst responders and law
P
enforcement offi cers run towards it. You’re
distinguished by your willingness to sacrifi ce
yourself for others,” Scott told those at
the ceremony, who were primarily in law
enforcement.
Scott thanked those at the ceremony who
were family members of offi cers who had
died in the line of duty. He said he hadn’t
realized at the time how diffi cult it had
been for his mother to raise three boys on
her own after his father died during World
War II. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy
Fuller understands the loss when a parent
dies in the line of duty. She was at Friday’s
ceremony with her children and her mother,
Deanna, not in her professional capacity, but
to honor her father, James B. Fuller.
James Fuller, who grew up in West
Rutland, was a special agent with U.S.
Customs who died in 1984 when he suffered
“You truly are role
models to many, and
set an example for all
of us, and you’re do-
ing it out of dedication
and commitment to
service and duty.”
– Gov. Phil Scott
Thank You Police Officers
For Protecting Our Community Every Day
10 • RUTLAND HERALD HOMETOWN HEROES JULY 2019