DICKSON CITY, Pa. — For 119 years, the Pennsylvania State Police has been protecting and serving the Commonwealth. On Wednesday, fallen troopers were remembered during the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Memorial Day observance in Dickson City.
"Today, we honor their bravery, their memory, their legacy. We honor these individuals who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in making the Pennsylvania State Police the finest police organization in the world," said Capt. Michael Walsh, Pennsylvania State Police.
Memorial ceremonies for state troopers are held every year around this time, honoring all those who have died in the line of duty since the inception of the Pennsylvania State Police on May 2, 1905.
"Troopers who have laid down their lives have and continue to prove that we should never falter in our devotion. We should always remain steadfast in the moment of peril," Capt. Walsh said.
Six of the fallen troopers were part of Troop R, which covers Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties.
"It's important to honor our tradition and our history, not only Commonwealth-wide but specifically, right here in Dunmore to honor those that died in the line of duty, the retirees that we lose every year, and their families. It's nice to speak to the widows of the fallen, let them know that we're still here and we still honor their legacy," Capt. Walsh.
Retirees from Troop R tell us being a trooper now isn't what it used to be.
"The old guys just stuck together so tight," said Michael Yanocho, a retired trooper. "Now everybody's so busy. The job has totally changed in the last ten years. It's amazing."
But one thing hasn't changed.
"The feeling in your heart that you get, you know, with the guys and stuff. Everybody gets along. You don't have to worry about watching each other's back because everybody's got your back, so that's a really good group of men," Yanocho said.
And keeping that connection alive between the past and present is important.
"Absolutely, it keeps the retirees connected with our modern-day trooper and our modern-day trooper with the retirees," said Capt. Walsh. "I love hearing the conversations about how policing has changed over the course of careers."
State troopers say the one thing that hasn't changed in the past 119 years is answering the call and placing themselves in danger to protect their communities.
CLICK HERE to view the names on the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall.