The officer’s call sign, the various codes, and the message used will vary from agency to agency. However, the End of Watch ceremony is a very somber end to a service resulting from a Line of Duty Death (Frazier, 2013).
“Draper 8.” Pause. “Draper 8.” Pause. “Draper Sierra 8. Sergeant Derek Johnson.” “We thank you for your dedication, loyalty, and service to the citizens of Draper, Utah, and the United States. You made the people you served your family. You have influenced many for your unending compassion, respect for all people, and service in many facets of law enforcement. All those you served will remember you. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.” “Draper 9. Rest in peace.” “10-42. End of watch.” the handler of the K-9, a gun salute, playing of “Taps” or other music, and the escort of the handler and their family. Pallbearers should be provided at the discretion and approval of the K-9’s handler. The flag on the permanent flagpole should be lowered to half-mast at the approval of the handler and the agency. The services for the fallen K-9 can include the traditional component of any funeral service. There can be clergy involved as well as guest speakers, eulogies, and prayers. Most funeral homes and funeral directors are not involved in the services for dogs or other animals. Assisting an agency and community with a service such as this can be meaningful for all involved. The agency may have a need for goods and service that the funeral home may be able to provide. This need can include a small casket for the body of the K-9, an urn if cremated, memorial products, and assistance with arranging for the services. In addition to the meaningful service this may provide to the members of the department and community, it can additionally be an incredible community building opportunity for the funeral home (National Sheriffs’ Association, Unknown). involvement of the chaplain throughout a Line of Duty Death service will depend upon the wishes of the family and/or any religious beliefs of the family. It is common for the department’s chaplain to work with the family’s minister to honor the deceased while comforting the family. Some of the duties in which the department’s chaplain may serve are in the initial notification of the next of kin, comfort and counseling of the family, prayer service with family, participation in funeral services, and interment service (Federation of Fire Chaplains, 2004). The survivor action officer is a position that is often assumed by the chief of the department or is delegated by the chief. The chief, or other person serving in this role, will oversee and be the liaison between department, the next of kin, and the funeral home. The person that serves in this position will need to work closely with the funeral director and will require the full support and cooperation of the entire department. This officer will be coordinating the various honors and the personnel assigned to handle specific aspects of the service arrangements. It will be his or her responsibility to ensure the resources needed are available (Federation of Fire Chaplains, 2004). The family liaison officer will report directly to the survivor action officer while being responsible for maintaining a line of communication between the family and the department. This officer will provide and coordinate all logistical support to the family throughout the planning and actual funeral services. It will be common for the family liaison officer
K-9 burial procedures Nearly since the first domestication of dogs, K-9 units have been used in military, civilian, and law enforcement applications. The highly trained K-9 units serve alongside their human partners in protecting communities. Unlike many human partners of law enforcement officers, K-9 partners go home with their counterpart every day and become part of the family. These partners form a bond with the officer and the family of the officer. When one of these four legged heroes passes away, many agencies feel it is only fitting they receive the recognition and respect of other officers. The K-9 Burial Protocol, known as “The Rocky Protocol,” brings some uniformity to the honors these trusted companions can receive. The protocol closely resembles the honors that are to be received by any law enforcement officer who is killed in the line of duty or after being retired from service. It recommends that members of the honor guard should be used if possible. The honor guard should guard the body until it is interred or the cremated remains until they are inurned or scattered. If at a gravesite, the honor guard should stand guard until the ceremony is concluded. The honors can include flag folding and presentation to Fire service The men and women of fire service stand ready to respond to dangerous situations to help others whenever the bell rings. Firefighters have many traditions that date back to the roots of the fire service. Many of these have and will be discussed within this course; however, it is always prudent to check with the appropriate local officials for those to be observed in services for fire service personnel. Funerals for firefighters and others involved in the fire service will often involve many fire department members and apparatuses, members and apparatuses from other departments, ceremonial bell ringing, and honors. Just as with all Line of Duty Deaths, the funeral director and staff must be vigilant in coordination and communication with the family and everyone that will be involved. As with law enforcement agencies, most fire departments will have pre-designated positions for those to be involved in funeral planning and the services. The positions may include a chaplain, survivor action officer, family liaison officer, funeral officer, the funeral detail officer, procession officer, service officer, cemetery officer, and transportation officer. The titles of the positions and the description of these positions may vary between departments (Federation of Fire Chaplains, 2004). It may be found with many departments that one person will serve in more than one position. The chaplain may be an active member of the department or may be a community member that serves in that capacity for the department, such as a local minister. The level of
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Book Code: FPA0625
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
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