GRANTS PASS, OR — In solemn recognition of National Police Week, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office will host a public memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. on the front steps of the Josephine County Courthouse. The event is part of a nationwide observance held from May 11 through May 17 to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty while serving their communities and safeguarding American freedoms.
Sheriff Dave Daniel, on behalf of law enforcement agencies throughout the region, issued an open invitation to members of the public to attend and pay tribute to those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony will bring together representatives from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Grants Pass Police Department, and Oregon State Police for a joint remembrance.
“This is a time to reflect and honor the sacrifices of our fallen heroes,” said Daniel. “These men and women gave their lives to protect our rights, our freedoms, and our community. We owe it to them—and to their families—to never forget their dedication and service.”
The observance will include a roll call of local officers who died in the line of duty, a symbolic reminder of the risks law enforcement professionals face each day. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook and Instagram pages for those unable to attend in person.
The roll call will include the names of seven officers who died while serving Josephine County:
Trooper Burrell Baucom – July 1, 1933
Captain (SAR) Emmett J. Blackmun – September 24, 1968
Deputy Alice Moran – November 17, 1971
Deputy Glenn Allen – November 17, 1971
Sergeant Marvin R. Brewster – April 21, 1972
Deputy Thomas E. Rice – May 23, 2002
The back-to-back deaths of Deputies Moran and Allen on the same day in 1971, followed shortly by Sgt. Brewster’s in 1972, mark a particularly tragic period in the county’s law enforcement history. More recently, Deputy Rice’s death in 2002 was a profound loss that still resonates with many in the community.
National Police Week was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, and has since become an annual tradition of remembrance and support. Across the United States, thousands of memorial services, candlelight vigils, and commemorative events are held to recognize those who have fallen in the line of duty.
Josephine County’s commemoration reflects this national spirit of remembrance while placing a local emphasis on the men and women who served this region specifically. It serves as a powerful reminder not only of the dangers law enforcement officers face, but also of the need for public awareness, appreciation, and unity.
“Behind every badge is a family, a community, and a life given to service,” Sheriff Daniel stated in his invitation. “Our gathering on May 13 is not only to honor the fallen, but to reaffirm our respect for those who continue to serve with courage and commitment.”
Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in the ceremony. Whether standing in silence, offering a salute, or simply bearing witness, the event is designed to promote a deeper understanding of the sacrifices involved in public safety and the enduring impact those sacrifices have on families and communities.
The Josephine County Courthouse is located at 500 NW 6th Street in Grants Pass. Seating and accessibility accommodations will be available on-site. For those viewing remotely, details for the livestream will be shared via the official social media pages of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office prior to the event.