Falls Police to Honor Officers Slain in the Line of Duty

Before you claim your spot for the Memorial Day Parade Monday, be sure to make some time Sunday afternoon to join the Menomonee Falls Police Department and other local leaders to honor past offciers killed in the line of duty.

The Memorial Service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at on Appleton Avenue.

Fortunately, for Menomonee Falls the list of fallen officers is small. However, the legacies of John S. Taylor and Richard Parquette will never be forgotten here.

Taylor, a Falls officer from 1969 to 1977, was killed August 6, 1977 while attempting to stop a speeding vehicle. Taylor, an eight year veteran of the department at the time, saw the suspect approaching on Menomonee Avenue and was attempting to turn his squad car around to assist the State Patrol and stop the suspect's vehicle. Taylor's squad car was struck broadside by the suspect's vehicle. Taylor was thrown from his squad car and killed instantly.

A memorial to him remains inside the department.

Parquette served the Falls department from 1966 to 1977. He then took a job as the Bayfield County Deputy Sheriff from 1977 to 1996. On September 10, 1996, Parquette was investigating a damage to property complaint in the Township of Cable. After conversing with the complainant on the lower level of the multi-family building, Parquette proceeded up a stairwell of the building to talk with the suspect when the suspect exited his apartment and fired several shots killing Parquette.

During the ceremony, Falls Police Capt. Terry Hansen will play taps and offer opening remarks. The Aquinas Academy Youth Choirs will sing the National Anthem. Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel will also address the crowd. The Greater Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums will play the musical presentation.

The event will be follwed with fellowship time.