HONORS FOR RETIRED OFFICERS

As a funeral coordinator and instructor I have received inquiries through my website and had questions asked at my seminars about providing “honors” for retirees. The question I ask is, did the officer retire honorably? I advocate that when honorably retired officers die they should receive the same honors ceremony that an active officer would receive. I don’t think that retired officer’s should receive something less merely because they are retired. When talking about retirees, What about those who did not retire honorably? Should they receive honors?

For most agencies, when an active officer dies the agency provides a traditional honors ceremony that includes the flag fold, Taps, and rifle salute. However, when a retiree dies, the honors ceremonies provided often range from nothing to a modified version that only includes the flag fold or the flag fold and Taps. Some agencies think that the retiree deserves something less than an active officer and provide a modified version of the traditional honors ceremony.

Others, typically large agencies, say they don’t have the honor guard resources to provide full honors for retirees because of the number of services held locally so they provide a modified version. Some evaluate the potential for a large audience to attend the retiree’s funeral. Retirees who retired so long ago that no one on the agency knew or remembers them, might get less than one who recently retired and is well known and remembered.

Regardless of the number of funerals held annually for retirees or how long-ago they retired or how popular they were, the decision to provide honors for any retiree is at the discretion of the chief or sheriff. Obviously logistical resources and honor guard personnel availability influence what can be provided. There is a difference between not being able to provide honors and not wanting to. But agencies should have a protocol that establishes the criteria and standards for retiree funerals.

The protocol should be equitable for all retirees, regardless of the how long ago they retired, because funerals are for the living. Funerals provide significance and meaning to the deceased persons life and career. Honors ceremonies provide a special recognition of the retirees career and dedication to public service. Something the surviving family is well aware of and proud of and would appreciate having recognized.

But, what of the retiree who retires “in lieu of.” This type of retirement occurs when an active officer is involved in criminal allegations, that, if convicted would result in his/her termination from the agency. So, they retire “in lieu of” any disciplinary action. Any criminal trials typically occur after the officer retires and the agency is not involved.

So, an officer is facing agency disciplinary action that will likely terminate them and they retire. Did they retire “honorably?” No. Some criminal allegations don’t reflect on the officer’s integrity, like off-duty misdemeanor drunk driving.

Others, like theft or fraud, involve the officer’s integrity and trustworthiness. Active officers convicted of drunk driving are seldom terminated for that specific offense. However, officers convicted of offenses involving theft or fraud cannot remain on the job.

So, when a chief or sheriff is confronted with the death of a retiree who retired “in lieu of” does the retiree receive full honors? A difficult decision needs to be made. At times only the chief or sheriff is privy to the details involving the retirement. Remember, funerals are for the living and the surviving family should not be punished because of the officer’s transgressions. But the chief or sheriff must be careful not to establish a precedent that will tarnish the dignity of the traditional honors ceremonies of the past or future.

A modified honors ceremony can still be meaningful, dignified and respectful. A pre-folded flag can be presented but the traditional honors ceremony should not be provided. Officers can attend in uniform and render a hand salute at the appropriate times. A police chaplain can officiate.Bagpipes can be played. But the decision of what will be provided, if anything, is at the chief’s or sheriff’s discretion.

Any decision will likely be argued by some and disagreed with by others. But the integrity of the agency and the solemnity of the traditions represented by the honors ceremony are paramount. The term “Honors.” impacts every ceremony that has been held before and every one that will be held in the future.

Funerals are for the living, but not at the expense of the reputation of those who were buried in the past and not at the expense of the reputation of those who will be buried in the future. Every officer takes an oath to uphold the law, protect the U.S. Constitution, and adhere to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. That oath extends into retirement.Those who violate that trust must accept the consequences.

When an active or honorably retired officer dies and has been involved in serious criminal activity, typically but not always classified as a felony,there should be no honors ceremony of any sort.

John Cooley

PoliceFunerals.com