Fallen officers honored during Project Blue Light Ceremony

PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Fallen police officers across the state were honored Wednesday night during the 19th annual Project Blue Light ceremony.

The ceremony at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy paid tribute to two fallen officers.

Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz was shot and killed earlier this year while serving warrants.

The second officer honored at the ceremony was K-9 Officer Tyson. Tyson developed heat exhaustion while searching for suspects of a pharmacy robbery and later died.

Leslie Phillips, the widow of a fallen officer was the keynote speaker Wednesday.

“There will be lots that hate you simply for the uniform you wear. This is the world we live in now,” Phillips said. “However, there are many grateful for what you do day in and day out.”