The Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake Police Memorial and Honor Guard Foundation will host the annual Police Officers Memorial Service to pay tribute to fallen officers and those who have served on Wednesday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. at the Police Memorial, located at the Cuyahoga Falls Civic Center Campus, 2310 2nd Street.
Cynthia Stanton-Ford will deliver the Keynote Address. Cindy is the surviving spouse of Sergeant Martin Stanton of the Cleveland Police Department, who died in the line of duty on September 27, 2010. Cindy is the past secretary of Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). As secretary, she accompanied surviving families from Ohio to Washington, D.C., during National Police Memorial Week when their officers were added to the National Police Memorial.
“The Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake Police Memorial is an eternal tribute to past, present, and future officers who have dedicated their lives in service to their community and country,” stated Steve Amos, Chairman of the Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake Police Memorial and Honor Guard Foundation (CFSLPMF).
Prior to the ceremony, three names will be inscribed on the memorial wall: Lt. Randall Weitzell, who served the City of Cuyahoga Falls for 25 years, Ptl. William Crawford, who served the City of Cuyahoga Falls for 27 years, and Capt. Earnest Arnold, who served the City of Cuyahoga Falls for 35 years.
“The men and women of the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department serve our residents with unmatched dedication and professionalism,” stated Mayor Don Walters. “I am deeply grateful for our officers’ commitment to our community, both past and present.
The 2026 National Police Week will be observed from Sunday, May 10, through Saturday, May 16. Every year, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country come together to remember and honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This year, the Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake Police Memorial and Honor Guard Foundation will “Light Ohio Blue” on the evening of Wednesday, May 13. A procession of police vehicles from departments throughout Summit County will arrive at the memorial at 8:30 p.m. to start the event, and a candlelight service will follow.
The Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake Police Memorial and Honor Guard Foundation asks the public to show their support for local law enforcement by displaying black-and-blue ribbons or flying a police memorial flag during the week. Memorial flags may be purchased from Falls Flag and Banner, with donations from each sale supporting the Foundation. With the support of city officials from Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake, more than 230 police memorial flags and banners will fly over city streets and other public buildings. Schools, businesses, and private residents will also be flying the flag. The Foundation believes this is one of the country’s largest police memorial flag displays.