Commemoration Ceremony Held For Fallen Officer Thomas Decker

(KNSI) – A fallen Cold Spring officer was remembered Sunday as part of a commemoration ceremony at St. Boniface Catholic Church to mark the 10-year anniversary of his death.

Politicians and religious leaders all spoke in memory of Thomas Decker who was ambushed during a welfare check stemming from a domestic dispute on November 29th, 2012. His mother, Rosella, says the remembrance was like seeing family. She talked about how it wasn’t easy for some to take part.

“Phil Jones, he was the chief of Cold Spring at the time when Tommy got killed. He had the school shooting and this all happened within a short distance from where Tommy got killed. I knew it would be very difficult for him to come back to Cold Spring.”

Rosella says the death of Thomas sent shockwaves through the department. Decker’s partner and Jones both left the force in the years that followed, along with several others, according to her.

Rosella says she met people because of the tragedy that she otherwise would never have come to know.

“People that have also lost their sons or their husbands in the line of duty, you will become instant friends with them. And I’ve made so many new friends that I didn’t have before. When God closes the door, he opens up all the windows.”

Rosella says she is appreciative of getting the chance to talk about him and wants to ensure his memory and sacrifice are kept alive. Thomas was the only member of his immediate family who was an officer. Rosella says he used to tell her he had a dangerous job, but his death still came as a shock to her.

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