Highway Patrol Memorial Honors Service of 48 Fallen Officers

Thursday’s evening assembly at the 2025 American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS) consisted of a myriad of different events, from an address by Ohio House of Representatives member Haraz Ghanbari to the presentation of the daily city and county flags.

However, one of the most emotional moments of the assembly for many was undoubtedly the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s (OHP) memorial for its 48 fallen officers throughout its existence.

The ceremony was defined not only by the poignant words spoken, but by the carefully placed silences, emblematic of the weight of the memorial and the legacies of the fallen.

In front of the stage where numerous members of the patrol spoke, and where the list of fallen officers was read, sat the polished boots, duty belt, and iconic Stetson hat of the Highway Patrol. These items symbolized, as Lieutenant Joseph Weeks of OHP powerfully stated, “the final steps in their last battle.”

Lieutenant Colonel Josh Swindell of OHP also gave a particularly impactful address after the names of the 48 fallen were read. Swindell emphasized the dual nature of the memorial ceremony: Both to pay respect to the troopers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to energize those on active duty to further their role of keeping the people of Ohio safe.

In addition, Swindell used the somber mood of the ceremony to implore all those in attendance to thank any police officers, military servicemen or legionnaires for their service.

“Thanking those serving is vital,” Swindell said, due to a simple reason: “A lot of people don’t come back.”

ALBBS’s own Highway Patrol played a major role in the memorial proceedings as well.

“When I was sitting up there in the stands, I kind of started tearing up.” In addition, Colonel Zehner hoped that all the assembled delegates “paid attention to the last sergeant’s speech,” Colonel Holden Zehner said, speaking of his experience with the ceremony.

Swindell hoped that the ceremony would impact the delegates watching, and would “hopefully let them reflect a little bit” on the importance of the sacrifice made by the 48 fallen officers. Swindell also mentioned the inspirational energy the fallen 48 brought to those on active duty, asking the delegates, “We want to do a really good job for them, right?”

The ceremony delivered a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by service members, of our state and beyond. It gave the assembled delegates an opportunity to reflect on the often unseen sacrifices made by these brave men and women, and encouraged them to further their gratitude for such sacrifice.