David Parde: Fallen Lexington police officer honored at national memorial
On May 15, 2022, Lexington Police Officer David Parde was honored at the National Peace Officer’s Memorial in Washington, DC. Parde was one of 619 officers inducted into the National Law Enforcement Memorial in 2022.
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The department wrote, “His name is etched in stone with the other 23,000+ names of officers killed in the line of duty.” Parde sustained life-altering injuries on May 5th, 1992, while investigating reports of a suspicious person at an apartment complex at 612 Fairview Drive.
A memorial for the officer stands on panel 31 west, line 33 of the monument.
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A funeral service was held on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at RCR with the Rev. Dr. Keith Carroll officiating and live-streamed.
Published in Parde’s obituary:
“David was born on June 16, 1966 in McDowell County, WV to John Parde and Loretta Estep Parde. He was a retired Lexington Police Officer, who was shot in the line of duty in May of 1992 and was a recipient of the Civilian Purple Heart Award. David was an exceptional person and was admired by his peers. He volunteered with the local DARE program, spoke to local church groups and always inspired others by telling his story. David was never angry or revengeful due his incident and in fact, he used his injury to be a positive role model for so many people that he had come in contact with. He was a Cub Scout leader at Mount Tabor UCC Troop 215, volunteered for the Run Five Feed Five organization by delivering food to hungry kids in the community, and delivered donated items to first responders in the immediate days following 9/11. David was a devoted mason and chaplain of the Lexington Memorial Lodge #473 and was an Ambassador for the 27th district of the Masonic Home for children. He was preceded in death by his father.”
