On the second Thursday in June, the police always take a moment to remember the police officers who have died as a direct result of their police work. This takes place during a ceremony in the Garden of Reflection in Warnsveld. This year, the names of Robert-Jan Hartman and Marc den Toom were added to the monument in the presence of their relatives, colleagues, and many other interested parties. As every year, students from the Police Academy formed an impressive honor guard around the ceremony.
‘Never forgotten’
‘This place tells stories of different officers. Stories about how they lived their lives. Stories that we pass down from generation to generation,’ said Deputy Chief Wilbert Paulissen during his speech at the memorial site. ‘In todays world, which has not become easier for the police and in which many choose themselves, these colleagues gave their lives for values much greater than that. For a value that may seem obvious, but is not. They were vigilant and dedicated to a safe society.’
‘We are here to reflect on the significance of the police profession,’ emphasized Paulissen. ‘Out of respect for those who served and made the greatest sacrifice. To remember them, to honor them, to keep them with us, and to let their relatives know that we do not forget them... never.’
Inscriptions for Robert-Jan Hartman and Marc den Toom
Officer Robert-Jan Hartman died on November 26, 2014, at the age of 42. He fell during a team-building activity in the presence of his colleagues. He died six days later from the consequences of this tragic accident. ‘For Robert-Jan, two things were most important: his family and his work,’ Paulissen told. ‘Whichever it was: he went for it one hundred percent. A colleague once told me: “When you think of a police officer, you think of Robert-Jan. I believe he slept in his uniform. He was incredibly involved and proud of the profession. He was always at the forefront.”’
Motorcyclist Marc den Toom lost his life on January 30, 2025, at the age of 54 in a tragic accident. This happened when he, during a traffic control, was returning to the station in Buchten on his service motorcycle and wanted to check a vehicle. Marc always wanted to work for the police, Wilbert said. ‘After his career in the financial world, he decided to pursue his big dream. At the Traffic Team, he quickly felt completely at home, and that radiated from him. He did everything he could to become a B-motorcyclist. “Marc worked his shifts with heart and soul. In a world full of chaos and haste, he remained calm, patient, and thoughtful. He brought peace,” his close colleagues say.’
Ad Schoolmeester
After Paulissens speech, Christl Blom-Schoolmeester spoke on behalf of all the relatives. Her father, police officer Ad Schoolmeester, was fatally injured in 1974 when a drunk driver deliberately drove into a group of officers during an alcohol check on the Rijksstraatweg in Heemskerk. ‘For all of us as a family, my fathers violent death has had a tremendous impact on the rest of our lives,’ Blom-Schoolmeester said. ‘Since the establishment of this Garden, we have been here every year with our mother to honor and keep alive the memory of her husband and our father. Last year she passed away. As children and grandchildren, we will be here every year as long as we are able: as a tribute to our father and as a tribute to all 170 colleagues whose names are remembered here.’
National monument
The Garden of Reflection is a national monument. The police established it as a commemoration and tribute to police officers who have died in the line of duty since January 1, 1946. The Garden of Reflection is located behind the Coach House of Huis ’t Velde in Warnsveld. The garden is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. For more information, see: Garden of Reflection