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Lost in the Line of Duty: a Mom Honors Her Son by Remembering All Fallen Officers


The Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Services were held at the Statehouse May 4. (Photo Courtesy of Kansas Highway Patrol)

You may have never heard of Topeka police officer Joey Bohlender. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Ottawa High School and of Washburn University. He was also a husband and a father of three.  Family members describe him as friendly, outgoing, "happy-go-lucky." One week ago, at the Kansas Statehouse, Joey Bohlender was remembered during a memorial ceremony for all officers killed in the line of duty. Today, Guest Commentator Karen Bohlender - Joey's mom - invites you to think about the sacrifices made by police officers... and to consider the family members they leave behind.


 

Guest Commentator Karen Bohlender is the mother of Joey Bohlender, a Topeka police officer who was killed in the line of duty 12 years ago. Karen is also president of the Kansas chapter of C.O.P.S. - Concerns of Police Survivors.  She and her husband Joe live in Holton.  National Police Week begins this Sunday... on Mother's Day.

The memorial golf tournament, which rasies money for Kansas Concerns Of Police Survivors, will be held June 24 at Lake Shawnee Golf Course. More information can be found at: www.KSCOPS.org

Click here to visit the website of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Click the player below to hear how this piece sounded when it aired on Kansas Public Radio. (The bagpipe music used in this commentary was recorded at the law enforcement memorial ceremony at the Kansas Statehouse on May 4, 2012.)

 


 

Production assistance for this commentary was provided by KPR news intern Dana McCoy, with help from KPR website design guru Joanna Fewins.