Grand Island Police to honor fallen Officer Christopher Marcello in Washington, D.C.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - It’s been nearly two years since Grand Island Police lost one of their own with the untimely death of Officer Christopher Marcello. Now, GIPD plans to honor him once again, this time with a visit to Washington, D.C.
Early Tuesday morning, officers as part of the trailer crew hit the road to our nation’s capitol. They are being joined by Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denney and others with the department as they remember Marcello.
Officer Marcello’s name is going to be inducted on the National Police Memorial as part of National Police Week.
As part of Police Week, Chief Denney, Sgt. Jason Allan, Sgt. Steve Sloan and Officer Damian McAlevy will be biking from Chesapeake, Virginia to Washington, D.C.
They will be traveling 250 miles with other law enforcement officers on bicycles as part of the Police Unity Tour Ride-In and Ceremony.
Our crew heading to Washington D.C. is now crossing through West Virginia, which means we're that much closer to honoring officer Chris Marcello.
— GI Police (@GIPoliceDept) May 8, 2024
Here's a look back at our sendoff yesterday morning. pic.twitter.com/SyXw7j2LDE
“It’s a good feeling of comradery and that the policing spirit is not just localized or regionalized,” Chief Denney said. “It’s national and that all of this, for the most part, are out there trying to do a good job day in and day out. These officers, you know, are working under a lot of hard circumstances, and they’re just trying to make the world a better place.”
Chief Denney started six months after Marcello’s death. He said his name was one of the first names that was mentioned after he took on the role. He said the department was still mourning Marcello’s death.
Last November, the chief was informed that Marcello’s death would be considered in the line of duty as he died shortly after getting off of shift.
“I think it adds some closure to his untimely death as well as a feeling of pride that the officers here in Grand Island P.D. were able to work with a person of his caliber and are able to celebrate him and the other officers passing in the line of duty,” he said.
Despite Denney never meeting Marcello, he’s gotten to learn about the man who many held in high regards.
“Chris wanted to leave a lasting legacy, not only within his own family and with his extended GIPD family, but with the kids in the community,” he said. “He was just a person of deep feeling of family, of family first, and a team leader.”
The chief said he’s gotten to meet Marcello’s widow, kids and family. He thinks being a part of this allows him to do a small part to help facilitate this group from Grand Island who did know him to go to D.C. and celebrate his life.
Chief Denney said he’s participated in Police Week events two times with his first agency in Texas.
He said it really rejuvenated his desire to be in law enforcement and he hope it does the same for these officers.
He added that the community has been very supportive in helping raise funds through Crime Stoppers to allow around 25 people, including Marcello’s family, to go to D.C. to be a part of this event.
Activities include the bike procession starting Friday, May 10, a candlelight vigil on Monday, May 13; memorial service on Wednesday, May 15; and Nebraska law enforcement ceremony on Friday, May 17.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE OF POLICE WEEK
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