LONDON, Ohio — Eight Ohio officers lost their lives in the line of duty between 2020 and 2022. On Thursday, a special ceremony was held to honor their lives and other fallen officers who have helped protect our state.

Dozens of people came together to attend the 35th Ohio Peace Officer Memorial Service, recognizing the lives of fallen officers. Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Yates was shot and killed in July 2022 after responding to a report of gunshots at a mobile home. 

“Matt and Tracey were both students at Clark State in the criminal justice program and both went on to become members of our police academy,” said Karen Benton, Clark State criminal justice program coordinator.

Benton has known Yates and his wife Tracey for decades. She said he was a friend to many and had such a good heart.   

“Matt didn’t know a stranger, probably one of the most outgoing individuals, caring individuals,” she said.  

He was well respected by others.

“I don’t think there was anyone who didn’t love and care for him,” she said. 

Officer Yates was one of eight officers killed in Ohio between 2020 and 2022 who were honored during Thursday’s event, which was the first public Peace Officer’s Memorial Ceremony in the state since the start of the pandemic.

A flag was presented and raised for each life lost. Attorney General Dave Yost said it’s important to respect those fallen officers. 

“The thing that is worth remembering from each of their lives is that each one of them defended our society, its values against those who seek to kill and destroy,” said Yost.

Besides those officers, six officers from the Dayton Police Department who died during the Spanish Flu in 1918 and a Perry County Officer who was shot in the line of duty in 1945 were added to the memorial wall.

“Generations to come will remember they lived, and that they did something worth remembering and perhaps set an example to which the rest of us might aspire,” he said.