One of the most dangerous aspects about being a police officer isn't winding up in a shoot-out, but actually responding to a call. This was the message that was presented at the Warrick County Police Officer's Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 12 at the Chandler Community Center. "It is very important to remember our fallen." said Evansville Police Chief Brad Hill. "To listen to that list and to remember that they were much more than words on a page."

Three Indiana officers were killed in the line of duty last year, all pertaining to traffic accidents:

• Sergeant Jeffrey Shaw, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department

•Deputy Roy Bruce Sutton Jr., Jefferson County Sheriff's Department

•Corporal James Szuba, Mishawaka Police Department

The national police memorial is held annually. Locally, Warrick County law enforcement agencies take turns hosting the service. Boonville Police Chief Daryl Saltzman said the memorials bring the community awareness of the dangers of being a police officer.

"It also brings the officers more awareness of the dangers," he said. Saltzman said officers in his department put on up to 1200 miles every month on their vehicles by responding to calls and patrolling the streets.

"The (county) deputies and state police are going to put even more miles on the streets," he said. "That shows how much we are at the mercy of other drivers."

"We've always got to be concerned about safety," said Weisheit. "We can't help anyone if we don't get to the call. I know how fortunate I am to be here today that my name isn't on one of these bulletins. "Weisheit and fellow officer Eric Morris were involved in a shootout with a Chandler resident in May 2008. The resident was killed in the incident.