The Odessa Police Department detailed in a press release that the week of May 9 has been designated as National Police Memorial Week.
On May 13, OPD is scheduled to hold a memorial service to honor the nine local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
OPD spokesperson Cpl. Steve LeSueur said over the phone on Thursday afternoon that the memorial service is set to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Masks will be required while inside the funeral home.
The nine local law enforcement officers that will be honored are OPD Cpl. G.T. Toal, OPD officer Scott Smith, OPD Cpl. Arlie Jones, OPD Cpl. Scott Gardner, OPD Cpl. Abel Marquez, Ector County Sheriff’s Office deputy Thad West, Lubbock Police Department officer Rodney Kendricks, Midland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Naylor and Midland Police Department officer Nathan Heidelberg.
OPD is also scheduled to honor 85 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty the past year in Texas, the press release stated. The public is encouraged to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs beginning Sunday and continuing through May 15 to honor all police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
