Missoula Law Enforcement Marks Peace Officers Memorial Day [YouTube]

Flags all over Missoula were at half-staff on Friday. This past week has been National Police Week, which culminated with Peace Officers Memorial Day on Friday, May 15.

On Wednesday, Missoula citizens gathered at Rose Memorial Park for a ceremony to honor law enforcement personnel from the police and sheriff's department. Missoula Police Department Public Information Officer Travis Welsh remarked on the commemoration.

"Here in Missoula and in Missoula County, we celebrated our fallen brothers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties, and we also honor their families," said Welsh, who recalled the last Missoula Police officer to lose his life in the line of duty. "The last Missoula Police Officer to die in the line of duty was Sergeant Bob Heinle."

Heinle was wounded in the line of duty while pursuing a suspect in 1998 and lived the rest of his life as a quadriplegic. He passed away from complications of an infection due to his injuries in 2010.

"He was a man we admire greatly because even after suffering that terrible injury, he still embraced life and still engaged in activities that even a person of normal abilities would, and did it with gusto," Welsh said.

Welsh said, despite the many controversies in other communities across the country, that, generally, Missoula is supportive of law enforcement.