ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Archbold Police Attend Funeral Of Toledo Officer


Anthony Dia

Anthony Dia

Part tradition, part respect, part gratitude, part support and solidarity.

That’s why two Archbold police officers, in full dress uniforms, took an Archbold police sportutility vehicle to the Tuesday, July 7 funeral of a Toledo police officer.

Anthony Dia, 26, was shot and killed early Saturday, July 4, while answering a call for a disturbance.

Dia attempted to talk to an intoxicated man identified as Edward Henry, 57, Morenci, Mich. Henry first started to walk away from Dia, then turned and shot him.

Dia was pronounced dead at a Toledo hospital.

Henry was later found dead nearby, reports say, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tera Rogers, Archbold police administrative sergeant, said the incident “is an accurate depiction of how quickly things can go bad in law enforcement. There is no routine call.

“Two hours prior, he was talking to citizens and showing two children his car, talking to them about what it’s like to be an officer.”

Funeral

Funeral services for Dia were held Tuesday, July 7. The event was attended by hundreds of mourners.

A procession with dozens of law enforcement and first responder vehicles escorted Dia’s casket from the University of Toledo to Toledo Memorial Park, where he was interred.

Officers from Ohio and Michigan attended the funeral.

Among them were Jerry Brown and Jared Sanchez, APD officers. Rogers said every department in Fulton County sent officers.

She said Brown was on duty; Sanchez volunteered to come in on his day off.

In an email message to this newspaper, Rogers said, “I know many civilians question why we officers go to other officers’ funerals, sometimes traveling miles away.

“It is difficult to explain to people who have never worn the uniform and experienced the camaraderie.

“I know it can be a hard concept to understand– officers going to pay their respect to someone they may not have even known personally.

“Law enforcement is a family, and we look after each other. We would never let a brother or sister go alone to the grave.

“Part is tradition, but it is mostly to show support, respect his sacrifice, and show gratitude for that sacrifice. It is the least we can do to honor our brother officer.”

Pledge

“We officers pledge our lives to serve the public. When one loses their life because of this service, it is important to show solidarity,” Rogers said.

“When there is a line-of- death such as Officer Dia, we attend the funeral in full dress uniform with mourning bands as a show of gratitude, respect for his sacrifice, and to honor Officer Dia for that sacrifice.

“We also attend to support Mr. Dia’s family.”

Dia’s death “is a tragedy all of us in law enforcement feel the pain from. He truly was an outstanding officer, and a great loss.”