Remembering officer Rowland

Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. It honors all the men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line to maintain public safety.

To mark their sacrifice, Gov. Bill Walker has ordered all state flags lowered to half-staff May 15 in their honor and returned to full-staff Saturday, May 16.

“Donna and I thank all of our dedicated law enforcement officers who work tirelessly in the face of danger to ensure our public safety,” Gov. Walker said. “We also remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty. I encourage all Alaskans to give thanks for our peace officers and their families, and for the selfless contributions they make to keep our communities safe.”

In the Mat-Su Borough and in Palmer especially, May 15 is a solemn day.

On this day in 1999, Palmer Police Officer James Rowland Jr. was shot and killed while checking on a person slumped over the wheel of a pickup in the parking lot of the old Carrs store.

Officer Rowland is the only Palmer officer killed in the line of duty. Rowland Memorial Way in Palmer was named for him in 2012.

Rowland’s murder hit our community hard. He’s a hometown boy we proudly watched become a man. His parents, James and Wanda Rowland, are our friends and neighbors. He is one of us.

There is a time for mourning and sadness. But with time, sorrow yields and we are able to recall treasured memories that celebrate the lives of those we love and lose. This ebb and flow of love and loss is an inherent fact of life — with love comes loss. The two cannot be separated.

Remembering Officer Rowland’s service and sacrifice is one way we honor him and the family and children who remain to struggle on without his comfort and care.

To the Rowland family, there are no words of thanks that can match the depth of your lose. There is no display of gratitude that can fill the void his loss left.

But although our offerings of respect are merely humble tokens of appreciation, it is our solemn debt to pay.

It is our responsibility to remember Officer James Rowland Jr.’s story, his service and his sacrifice.

Thank you to Officer Rowland and to all stand watch on our behalf.