Hundreds of police officers, family, and friends gathered in May for the 42nd Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service and the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC, where fallen officers were honored during National Police Week.

Among the crowd were the family and patrol teammates of fallen Officer Jeremy Wilkins, who were joined by members of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association (CLEA) board, Officer Sam Wagner and Detective Tom Schuhrke, as they all lifted their candles in his honor.

Officer Wilkins lost his life in 2021 after a battle with COVID-19. He is remembered for his passion and dedication to serving the community he loved and is forever memorialized for his service. His name has now been engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall at the National Mall and was read aloud with 556 other fallen officers dedicated to the memorial this year at the Candlelight Vigil.

At the memorial site, visitors walked between two walls made of limestone, each 304 feet long and lined with trees. These beautiful "pathways of remembrance" evoke the strength, courage, and valor of those who gave their lives for the safety of this nation. During National Police Week, this memorial was a place where co-workers, family, and friends of these officers came together to remember and pay their respects to these fallen heroes.

Officer Wilkins’ name joins over 22,000 officers on the memorial, including Chandler officers Chris Farrar and Tyler Britt, who were added in 2022, and four other officers who were added previously. This memorial is a reminder to all law enforcement officers that as we put our lives on the line every day for the safety of others, we are supported in the communities we serve.

Schuhrke and Wagner were honored to attend ceremonies and events during National Police Week as representatives of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association and liaisons to the Wilkins family and his teammates. Those who wish to support Chandler officers and the mission of CLEA are invited to reach out to the organization through www.cpdclea.com. CLEA would like to thank our Chandler community for their continued support of our officers, and we encourage you to take a moment to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

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Officer Sam Wagner is the Vice President of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association.

The Chandler Law Enforcement Association represents over 250 police officers and employees. CLEA is dedicated to continuing the excellent public safety of the community while adhering to the highest standards of professional law enforcement. Our mission is to promote the positive role of the police profession through education, communication, support, and diligent representation of members while developing professional relationships with the community and government organizations.

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