LEWISTON – Members of the Lewiston Police Department observed Police Memorial Week in the courtyard outside the Park Street facility on May 16. Especially remembered were Officer Paul Simard, who lost his life in the line of duty in 1958, and Officer David Payne who lost his life in the line of duty in 1988.

In addition, the Lewiston Police Department also honored Lewiston native Gile Landry, Maine State Police detective, who lost his life in the line of duty in 1989.

National Police Week, celebrated May 15 to 21, is an annual remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while on duty, along with former officers who served proudly but have either retired or died. During the week, Lewiston police officers are wearing the mourning badge, which consists of a black stripe across the face of their individual badges.

Chief William Welch said, “The ceremony is always a very somber reflection of lives lost and the families impacted by such on-duty deaths. Officers Simard and Payne will always be remembered by the Lewiston Police Department, not only for their police contributions but for who they were as individuals within this community.”

A state ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on State Street in Augusta to remember all fallen officers in the state. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the lobby of the Maine State Library. With additional names added to the state memorial this year, the total number of Maine police officers who have died in the line of duty is now 81.

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