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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio —  Law enforcement officers and firefighters from across Clark County lined Limestone Street in front of the Safety Forces Monument for a somber ceremony Thursday, May 22.

The Springfield Police Division, Clark County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Springfield Fire and Rescue Division gathered to honor law enforcement officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The ceremony was part of the area's annual Law Day events.

This year's ceremony focused on the 30-year anniversary of the death of Sheriff's Deputy Gregory Raynor, the last Clark County law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty.

In her address to the crowd, Carol Raynor, Raynor's widow, said peace officers and firefighters have a special commitment to public service.

"For staying true to that commitment, we say 'thank you'," she said.

Raynor was shot March 30, 1978 while investigating an attempted rape. He died 19 days later.

Stacie Raynor said it was difficult for her to believe it's been 30 years since her father died.

"The magnitude of that number didn't hit me until recently," she said. "I'm now older than my father was when he died... to me (the number) represents most of my entire life."

Littleton and Rue Funeral Home donated and installed a marble base and urn in front of the Safety Forces Monument in which flowers were placed after the ceremony.

National Peace Officers Memorial Day was observed last week.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.

Comment: How do you remember a fallen law enforcement officer you used to know?

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