Hundreds Mourn Officer Who Kept Pledge to ‘Do Your Department Proud’
by Leef Smith, Washington Post
Tear-choked remembrances paying tribute to a fallen brother highlighted an emotional two-hour memorial service yesterday for U.S. Park Police Officer Hakim A. Farthing, killed by an alleged drunk driver last weekend while investigating a fatal accident on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
Officers arrived by the hundreds for the morning service and immediately fell into formation outside Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, where they stood for an hour amid the sorrowful skirl of bagpipes.
“These keepers of the peace have lost a brother,” Pastor Steve Holly told the assembly of mourners, who nearly filled the 1,200-seat chapel.
Farthing, at 28 a two-year member of the Park Police, understood the dangers of the street, but police work fulfilled him, said police chaplain Salvatore Criscuolo.
Assuring the officer’s sobbing family that his love, compassion and courage would not be forgotten, Criscuolo said: “Hakim died in the line of duty, but it wasn’t his duty that made him a hero. It was his life.”
Joseph Farthing, a corporal with the Pennsylvania State Police, tearfully eulogized his nephew as a “strong and focused” young man who made a commitment to serve others, even if it jeopardized his own life.
“Hakim Farthing and all the other heroes who laid down their lives before him are the foundation on which our reputation and respect are built,” he said, addressing the officers seated in front of him. “Hakim has given our nation and the world verification that we are at all times prepared and willing to protect the people.”
Before returning to his seat, Farthing approached his nephew’s flag-draped coffin and saluted.
Hakim Farthing, who was born in Philadelphia, spent some of his childhood in the Washington area before his family moved to New Jersey. After graduation from Rutgers University, where he received a degree in criminal justice, Farthing joined the Army, serving in the prestigious Old Guard ceremonial unit.
Farthing lived in Alexandria and was assigned to the Park Police station in Anacostia. He was investigating a fatal accident on the parkway in Cheverly early Saturday morning when he was struck by a car driven by Jovada P. Welch, of Silver Spring. Welch, 20, has been charged with driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter.
Farthing’s death was the first of an on-duty Park Police officer since 1988. He leaves behind a 3 1/2-year-old son, Eric.
Park Police Chief Teresa C. Chambers told mourners yesterday that Farthing, whose badge number has been retired, will posthumously receive the department’s second-highest award, the Park Police Star. She also announced plans to name a new substation in Anacostia for him.
Chambers said Farthing’s personnel file contained numerous letters of commendation, the most recent dated Aug. 6, when he was praised by colleagues for getting an illegal gun off the street.
She closed by sharing an excerpt from Farthing’s application to join the force: “Given the opportunity, I will do your department proud,” he wrote.
Chambers said Farthing had honored his promise.
National Park Service Director Fran Mainella called the officer “a role model for us all.” Addressing Farthing’s little boy, who, she noted, had drifted off to sleep, Mainella said: “You will look back and know how proud you are of your father and all that he has done. . . . He’s in our heart and in our soul.”
Letters of condolence from President Bush and Pennsylvania Gov. Mark S. Schweiker were also read. Farthing is to be buried today in Philadelphia. Schweiker said the officer had lived “a life filled with honor, service and commitment to his fellow man.”
The memorial was followed by a 21-gun salute and a flyover by eight helicopters in formation. A hearse carrying Farthing’s coffin then led a miles-long police procession into the District, where it circled the Mall and passed Park Police headquarters before returning to Springfield.
In all, the motorcade took nearly 15 minutes to pass, captivating onlookers.
Near the Ellipse, a line of National Park Service Rangers and Secret Service agents stood along Constitution Avenue and saluted. A light drizzle drove tourists under trees for shelter, but the officers stayed at attention. The rain let up just after the hearse passed.