Politics & Government

Project Blue Light Wreath to be Lit

The wreath at the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown will honor the 12 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Bucks County since 1914.

Anyone who personally knew Henry Kolbe is likely long dead by now.

Kolbe died in Doylestown on Sept. 22, 1914.

Though he, too, is long dead, he and the other 11 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Bucks County will be remembered and honored Thursday for their sacrifice.

Find out what's happening in Doylestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Project Blue Light wreath will shine from a window in the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown in their honor.

The Bucks County Commissioners and Jack Jones, who is Morrisville Borough Police Chief and Bucks County Fire Chiefs Association President, will light the 6 foot wreath with blue lights.

Find out what's happening in Doylestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It also will be adorned with 12 white ornaments symbolizing the those 12 law enforcement officers killed on duty across the county since Kolbe's death in 1914.

A state constable in Doylestown, Kolbe had been called to the town's train station to apprehend William "Broncho" Miller. Miller was suspected of having stolen $48 from the office of Harrington H. Rosenberger and having forged a check for $75 on J. W. Stilwagon & Son, according to newspaper accounts of the incident.

Miller went to the train station, where he attempted to get a $10 note cashed. The agent there was suspicious and telephoned Officer Kolbe, who appeared and arrested Miller.

The two started walking towards the Bucks County Prison on Pine Street, which is now the James A Michener Art Museum. On West Ashland Street near Clinton Street, Miller took out a .38-caliber revolver and shot Kolbe through the heart.

He is the last officer to have been killed in the line of duty in Doylestown.

The 12 fallen officers are:

  • Pennsylvania State Constable Henry A. Kolbe, Sept. 22, 1914
  • Bucks County Sheriff Abraham L. Kulp, Feb. 24, 1927
  • Dublin Borough Police Chief Eli M. Myers, Oct. 31, 1965
  • Bristol Township Police Sergeant George M. Stuckey, March 29, 1972
  • Bensalem Township Police Officer James K. Armstrong, April 15, 1975
  • Bensalem Township Police Officer Robert A. Yezzi, Aug. 12, 1980
  • Bucks County Deputy Sheriff George M. Warta Jr., Sept. 22, 1986
  • Bucks County Deputy Sheriff Thomas A. Bateman, Sept. 22, 1986
  • Bucks County Ranger Stanley E. Flynn, June 9, 1993
  • Plumstead Township Police Officer Joseph Hanusey, May 18, 2002
  • Newtown Borough Police Officer Brian S. Gregg, Sept. 29, 2005
  • Middletown Township Detective Christopher C. Jones, Jan. 29, 2009

Project Blue Light encourages people to include a blue light in their holiday decorations to remember law enforcement officials who have given their lives in the performance of their duties. It also honors the men and women who continue to work in law enforcement, putting their lives on the line every day.

The ceremony will be held Thursday, Dec. 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bucks County Courthouse Rotunda, 55 E. Court St., 3rd floor, Doylestown.


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