Nearly a century separates the careers of John H. Adams and Richard Mark Bremer with the Frederick Police Department. But both officers ended their careers the same way — by dying in the line of duty.
Frederick Police Chief Kim C. Dine addressed the fallen officers' family members, fellow department comrades, city leaders and residents who came out to honor the officers on Friday. He invoked the words of Michael Josephson's evocative poem, "What Will Matter" to capture the spirit of the memorial.
"We are here to honor and celebrate the lives of Officer John H. Adams, and Richard M. Bremer, who gave their lives in the service to society — to the residents of Frederick," Dine said before reciting the poem. "In reality, perhaps, we are here to remember — what matters."
Bremer, 39, died on Oct. 23, 2008, following a high-speed vehicle pursuit down South Street in Frederick. The suspect Bremer was chasing, James F. Sweeney Jr., 52, of Frederick, was sentenced in June to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to, among other charges, "fleeing and eluding resulting in death."
Bremer is survived by his wife and three children. His family attended the ceremony on Friday, but did not speak publicly.
"On this anniversary of Officer Bremer's death, we celebrate what he taught us," Dine said. "He reminded us that we are here to serve, and that serving may include this supreme sacrifice. ... He reminded us, in fact, there is no greater service than doing — what will matter."
Adams, 47, was shot and killed in 1922 after responding to a scene where two other officers had been shot and wounded while attempting to repossess a suspect's car as payment for a debt. The suspect pleaded guilty to Adams' murder and was hanged in Frederick. Adams was married with five children.
A memorial marker engraved with the names of Bremer and Adams, as well as their first dates of service and dates of death, was dedicated as part of the ceremony, and will remain outside police headquarters.
Charlie Snyder, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, spoke about how the memorial will ensure that the officers "would never be forgotten."
The marker was donated by the family of Sgt. Charles K. Cashour, who served the department for 28 years before he died of a heart attack in 1985. His family, also in attendance on Friday, donated the marker in his honor to memorialize the fallen officers of the Frederick Police Department.
"May it be a beacon of hope for all those men and women in uniform who continue to serve the faithful citizens of our city and our county each and every day," said the Rev. Kevin Farmer of Holy Family Catholic Community in Middletown, who offered prayers throughout the service. Bremer's funeral was held at the Middletown church in 2008.
Those who gathered to remember the two fallen officers said whether it's 87 years later, or just one, the pain of losing an officer remains the same.
And so does the message: "It's all about preserving our heritage, saving past lives and present lives — and honoring the dedication of our police officers in our daily lives," said Adams' great-granddaughter, Karen Ramsburg.
That, she said, is what matters.
E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.
