Service in Mason City features NYPD veteran

Memorial Day is still ten days away, but a memorial service was held yesterday in Clear Lake by members of the Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and Peace Officers. The service honored those from Iowa who have died from natural causes in the last year and those who gave their lives in the September 11th terrorist attacks. One special guest at the service was retired New York police officer Jeff Dito. He says he was invited to attend by the members of the association, and says he’s had a great time.Dito says police officers and firefighters have a special connection. He says both groups are a close-knit family worldwide. Dito was a New York City Police Officer for 21 years, including 15 years with emergency services. 15 members of that group perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center. The memorial service capped off the association’s three-day spring conference.