By Denise Allabaugh
The Citizens’ Voice
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Hundreds of people gathered on the Luzerne County Courthouse lawn Tuesday to remember fallen Correctional Officer Kristopher D. Moules, who died in the line of duty one year ago.
A flag was lowered to half-staff and Luzerne County Correctional Facility Lt. Robert W. Hetro played taps.
Officers at the jail unveiled a plaque in honor of Moules that says, “A hero remembered … never dies.”
His mother, Kitty Moules, said she was empowered by the hundreds of people who attended the ceremony.
“The service just brings out all the love that everybody has for one another and gives me, believe it or not, so much strength having all these people come on their time off. All of his fellow workers contributed their money to buy this plaque for him,” she said. “It’s all love. It’s what it is and it keeps me sometimes from crying.”
Moules, a correctional officer at the county jail, died July 18 when he and an inmate fell through an elevator door during an altercation. The Larksville resident was 25 when he died.
The inmate, Timothy Gilliam, 27, also died as a result of the fall.
Mark Rockovich, Luzerne County director of correctional services, said he was proud to see so many people in uniform attend the ceremony to honor Moules’ memory.
Moules always put the welfare of others above his own and made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the community he loved, Rockovich said.
“One year ago today, our world changed and it would never be the same,” Rockovich said. “I believe this kind of tribute should serve as a reminder to all of us that when the unthinkable happens, it has a profound effect not only on the agencies directly involved, but the entire law enforcement and first responder community as well as their families and friends.”
Luzerne County Manager David Pedri said he keeps a prayer card from Moules’ wake pinned to the bulletin board in his office.
When he looks at the prayer card and reads his name, he thinks about a young man who gave his life for public service.
“I think about a young man who was a great teammate. I think about a young man who was a phenomenal son, a great brother and a standout correctional officer,” Pedri said. “I think about how his life was snuffed out too early and I think about how he chose to work in public service. He chose to give of himself and how lucky are we to have him make that decision.”