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Annual FOP memorial service honors fallen officers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Officer Rod Bradway and other fallen heroes were honored Tuesday night at the annual FOP memorial service.

Officers who lost their lives in the line of duty were recognized, including Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz, who was killed in a shootout while serving a warrant in March. Koontz was 27-years-old and left behind a wife and young child. His family was presented with a supreme sacrifice crystal at the ceremony.

Family members of other fallen officers spoke at the ceremony, recalling the emotion of losing a loved one.

“I was a widow at 24,” said Betty Jones-Taylor. “I dressed and waited for his coworkers to arrive at my door. I went from building a future to planning a funeral. I got through the funeral but I was terrified at the thought of the future and raising my children alone.”