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One hundred and four seventh graders visited The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. as part of their trip in mid May. Six students had the privilege of presenting a wreath to members of the Lavery family, who were in the city for National Police Week 2009. The colorful wreath stated "In Loving Memory of Peter J. Lavery, 5/14/57-12/30/04 and contained a picture of a motorcycle and guitar, two of his favorite things in life.
"It was a wonderful experience and I loved that they came down," said Lavery's daughter Samantha Grady.
Grady, a special education teacher at the school, had mentioned to seventh-grade teacher Susan Weber that the kids' annual trip would correspond with National Police Week 2009.
So while she knew they were coming, Grady said it still meant so much to her family that the kids gave them something and that she sees so many at school wearing the In Memory of Peter J. Lavery T-shirts they received.
"I think it really hit home for them," Grady said.
Weber said the kids were very respectful and the atmosphere, personal pictures of Lavery and others at the wall - made it an emotional event.
"I was very moved," she said.
The atmosphere was somber, added student Lindsie Esau.
"It was emotional for a lot of people there," she said.
The children were just in third grade at the time but the event, which involved a long standoff during which police tried to get in the house, shook the community and made national headlines.
"I just remember hearing it on the news," said John Oravetz, one of the students who presented the wreath.
"It was scary with all the helicopters," added Austin Godbolt.
Kirsten Valade even remembers having to evacuate from her home.
Lavery was hired by his home town, Berlin, as a patrol officer in 1984. He came to Newington in 1988. In June, 2002 he was promoted to Master Police Officer, and in he was assigned to Motor Officer.
While an officer he continued to study, obtaining an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies from Eastern CT State University.
He was also a member of the CT Army National Guard.
In May, the group of kids who presented the wreath, chosen by chaperones for their keen interest and good behavior during the trip, said it also helped them think of others and how hard it is to lose someone. Godbolt and Oravetz said talking to Lavery's wife Pamela was difficult in some ways.
"It was kind of hard," Godbolt said. "I didn't know what to say."
Principal Jason Lambert, who also took the trip, said it was great in many ways. He also thinks the police memorial part was an important experience for the family as well as the students and staff.
"I think it gave our kids an opportunity to pay our respects to the family in a really meaningful way," Lambert said.
It's not the first time school children have been there for the Lavery family.
Grady said all the elementary schools in town made posters for the family after her dad was killed.
"It meant a whole lot to us," she said.
Grady said it's still hard to see her dad's name among some 18,000.
"Every time I wish it wasn't there," she said.
The family does make the trip every year as do several local officers. This year, the addition of the students made it special, she added.
Grady said her dad also went to National Police Week every year, making the trips even more meaningful.
This year, Lavery's picture and his police badge were displayed at the site. Kids made etchings from the raised letters in his name.
So while it's hard to see her father's, Grady is grateful for the students's presence as well as the memorial itself.
"It's nice that they do it so people never forget," she said.
