5-14-2007

In the shade of the Hawthorne Bridge, a group of about 100-200 people gathered at a small cement monument around noon. Even if you've lived in Portland your whole life, you may never have noticed the brick wall emblazoned with 26 names placed close to Naito parkway in waterfront park.

It's the Portland Police Memorial designed to recognize the lives of those men and women who died serving in the line of duty.

Every year, local cops and citizens gather to remember those who have given their lives in service to our city. A special roll call takes place as each name is read ... echoing against the silent section of the park. A single rose rests above each name. (after the roll call, when the wail of bag pipes swelled, I had chills for about ten minutes after)

This year, the police bureau paid special tribute to Officer Charles Schoppe (pronounced shop-ee). In 1874, Schoppe was the second Portland police officer to die in the line of duty and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions.

I had a chance to speak with Schoppe's great-grandson, Fred Cormack after he accepted the award. He says Schoppe was heading home on his last day as an officer (he'd taken a new job with county) when he heard gunfire in a local saloon. Schoppe entered and was shot in the chest. Despite his wound, Schoppe charged the shooter and tackled him before losing his life.

Cormack says he feels a little odd about all of the fuss, saying we should be focused on the families of officers who have passed on recently. But Sgt Brian Schmautz quickly set Cormack at ease by pointing out that every fallen officer receives special recognition and this was the time to remember his great grandfather.

At one point in the ceremony, Chief Rosie Sizer took to the podium and said that every time an officer dies, we honor him or her with parades, salutes and memorials. But that is all meaningless unless we carry on their memory.

Portland Police Memorial Week runs through Friday.