Fallen troopers honored at memorial ceremony Tuesday

April 30, 2024 Last Updated: April 30, 2024 10:19 PM Local News

Sgt. Gesuele A. Burello with Troop D carries a wreath with flowers representing fallen state police officers at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony at the Butler Senior High School auditorium on Tuesday, April 30. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Roxia Boykin placed a carnation on a commemorative wreath to honor her brother, Frank Bowen, who died in the line of duty as a state police officer for Troop D in 1983.

“He was just someone who cared about people; he had a big heart,” she said.

Close by, more than 30 active state troopers stood at attention watching over her during a State Police Memorial Day ceremony on Tuesday, April 30.

The yearly event took place inside the Butler Senior High School auditorium, and was attended by Boykin, her brother Robert Bowen, and dozens of local law enforcement officials. The ceremony consisted of speakers, a playing of taps, a presentation of arms and the symbolic wreath ceremony.

Major William Maitland, Area 1 commander, said in his welcome speech that 104 troopers have died in the line of duty since the department’s inception in 1905. Ten of those officers were from Troop D, which spans Butler, Mercer, Lawrence, Beaver and Armstrong counties.

“As law enforcement officers, we’re all family,” he said. “Every single trooper who has worked for Pennsylvania State Police has lost way too many brothers in the line of duty.”

“The department is still strong after 119 years,” said retired Major Byron Locke, a former commanding officer for Troop D. “We owe a tremendous debt of honor to those who’ve gone before us.”

The culmination of the ceremony was when the names of the fallen officers of Troop D were read, and family members placed a white carnation in an honor wreath.

Boykin and Bowen said their brother Frank served as a trooper in Mercer County and that he died in a car crash that occurred while he was responding to a call. He was 26 years old.

One of the five remaining Bowen brothers or Boykin herself make it a point to attend the memorial ceremony in Frank’s honor, she said.

“Although you never forget about it, it makes it more recent,” she said of the ceremony. “It brings it from the back of your mind to the front of your mind.”

“Putting the (carnation) in the wreath makes it final,” Bowen said, adding that he and his brother had a great relationship. Robert was the best man at Frank’s wedding.

“He was my baby brother,” he said.

“He just always cared so much. He wanted to help people,” Boykin said.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Capt. Lisa Jobe, commanding officer of Troop D, thanked the attendees.

“Your presence solidifies that those Troop D members who lost their lives are not forgotten,” she said.

Trooper Bertha Cazy, public information officer for Troop D, said the ceremony is a way to honor the fallen.

“It’s about respect and pride,” she said.

Trooper Jessica Mosura, of Troop D, has served on the force for two years and joined up for reasons similar to Frank Bowen’s. She said the ceremony serves a purpose even for active members

“It reminds us it could be any one of us,” she said.

Troop D listens to opening remarks from commanding officer Capt. Lisa A. Jobe at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Criminal investigation section commander Lt. Donald L. Sankey III with Troop D salutes during the Call of Honor at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

The PSP Ceremonial Unit does the presentation of colors at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Sgt. Gesuele A. Burello with Troop D places a flower in a wreath at the calling of each fallen state police officer at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Maj. William A. Maitland, Area 1 commander, welcomes attendees at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Commanding officer of Troop D Capt. Lisa A. Jobe salutes during the presentation of colors at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Trooper Richard A. Giustini, Lodge 54 president, does roll call or the call of honor at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Sgt. Gesuele A. Burello with Troop D carries a wreath with flowers at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Roxia Boykin places a flower in a wreath in memory of her brother, Pvt. Frank J. Bowen who fell in the line of duty, at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Commanding officer of Troop D Capt. Lisa A. Jobe gives opening remarks at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Retired Maj. Byron L. Locke speaks at the State Police Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen state police officers Tuesday, April 30, at the Butler Senior High School auditorium. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle