GREENVILLE—The Back the Blue Memorial Ceremony honoring officers from across the nation who passed in the line of duty in 2022, will be Saturday, May 20, 2023 in the Darke County Fairgrounds coliseum.
The annual, free-to-public event will feature food trucks, as well as several speakers and performers.
Performers will include singers Kevin Davison and Jenn Bostic. The singers will hold preconcerts, as well as will perform during the ceremony.
“This event brings awareness to the community,” Mike Dickmann, member of Back the Blue Memorial Ceremony board said. “It will show them just how often things like this happen.”
Additionally, Ricki Francis; widow of Officer Dominic Francis, Officer Chris Dorman and Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder will speak on their experiences in the field.
There are about 20 different police units slated to attend the rain-or-shine, family-friendly event.
“It will be very touching,” Greg Zechar, Funeral Director at Zechar Bailey Funeral Homes said. “It’s really important to honor these people that passed away in the line of duty protecting their communities. It’s just a small way for us to honor them.”
Attendees will be able to view multiple police cruisers that will be on display, and enjoy the four to five food trucks at the event, which will be located along the side of the coliseum.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with Bostic’s performance at 5:30 p.m., and Davison’s performance at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will start at 8:30 p.m.
The Great Darke County Fairgrounds is located at 800 Sweitzer St, Greenville, Ohio 45331. For more information on the event, go to the event Facebook Page.
