Duke Police Participate in DC Vigil for Fallen Officers

By Missy Baxter

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Durham, NC -- Cathy Carter recalls the anguish she felt upon learning that her son, Durham Police Officer Charles Callemyn, had died in a traffic accident while responding to a fellow officer’s call for assistance last year.

“When Charles’ sister, Jamie, took my hands and told me that he was gone, my heart began to ache immediately,” said Carter, assistant director of facilities for Duke’s School of Arts and Sciences & Trinity College. “Even though law enforcement is a dangerous career, you’re never really prepared for what could happen.”

Carter, along with several members of the Duke University Police Department, where her son had also been an officer, are in Washington, D.C., this week to participate in a candlelight vigil and memorial service to honor Callemyn and nearly 200 other officers who died nationwide in the line of duty last year.

As part of National Police Week, numerous activities are underway to honor fallen heroes, provide support for the officers’ families and increase public awareness about the potential dangers that officers face daily.

Duke Police 1st Sgt. Mark Faust, Investigator Rekayi Isley and Officer Tracy Lane will don dress blues and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Callemyn’s name and the names of about 180 fallen officers recently etched into the memorial will be unveiled.

“As police, we know and understand that whatever happens to one of us could happen to any of us,” said Faust, a 15-year member of the Duke Police Department. “I have yet to meet an officer who does what they do for the financial reward. We do it because we care.”

This year’s service is especially significant, organizers say, because 2007 was one of the deadliest years for law enforcement in two decades.

Callemyn, a former U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Reserves 805th Military Police Company, was a Duke Police officer from 2000 to 2005. He was a member of the Durham Police Department when he died on Feb. 17, 2007. He was 33.

Carter said she hopes National Police Week will “encourage others to be sensitive to the perils of military or law enforcement service.”

“I think it’s important for us to offer families of fallen heroes a few moments from our hearts to honor the loss of their loved ones who gave their lives so each of us may live in a better, safer country,” she said. “Officers, like the ones with Duke Police, make sacrifices every day to help make our community safer.”

The Duke University Police Department has a staff of about 175 and provides 24-hour law enforcement and security services to Duke’s academic campus, health system, research forest and some off-campus areas. Along with patrolling the campus and investigating crimes, Duke Police conduct safety workshops and assist with a myriad of services that even include engraving iPods and retrieving keys locked in cars.

Callemyn’s family, including his mother, his wife Catherine and sons Joshua and Justin, are participating this week in workshops that offer survivors advice on coping with grief and rebuilding their lives.

“I’m really proud that Duke officers are participating in the services,” Carter said. “Every service brings back the sorrow of our loss, attending the services also swells my heart with pride because many citizens and officers share stories of times they spent with Charles. It is so touching to hear someone read off all the years he spent in military service and law enforcement. Learning about times he went out of his way to help someone also helps ease the pain.”