It’s National Police Week

Published 9:36 am Wednesday, May 13, 2009

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a law requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff each year on May 15. This year marks the 28th annual recognition for the service and sacrifice of all U.S. law enforcement officers. The weeklong events across our nation pay special recognition to officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. National Police Week is a collaborated effort by numerous local, states and national organizations dedicated to honor our law enforcement community.

During the week of May 10 to 16, people across the United States will honor the officers who have died in the line of duty. During this period, all members of the law enforcement profession will unite with the survivors and other members of our communities to remember and pay tribute to those we have lost.

In 2008, 134 officers across the United States were killed in the line of duty. Their ages ranged from 22 to 70 to an average age of 39; of those 134 officers, 13 were female officers. On an average, one officer is killed somewhere in America every 53 hours. The first known line of duty death took place in 1792, when New York City Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith was shot and killed. Since that date, more than 18,600 officers have died while performing their duties, including 211 Minnesota officers. Sadly as of May 5, our communities nationwide have already lost 46 men and women officers in the line of duty, an increase of 21 percent for the same period in 2008.

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It is important that all citizens know and understand that law enforcement officers face difficult challenges every day. The officer’s job can be dangerous, frustrating and at times tedious. Our local, state and federal officers play an important role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all citizens. Law enforcement officers work to improve the quality of life for all our citizens of their communities by keeping the peace and our streets safe 24/7 despite sometimes overwhelming risks and odds. That is why it is important for law enforcement officers everywhere receive appropriate recognition, support and respect for the work they do.

This is why from May 10 to 16 nationwide, from are own capital in St. Paul to our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., citizens and our law enforcement community will gather to observe, commemorate and dedicate in honor all past and present law enforcement officers who have been disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty. Today, the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial takes place. The names of the 134 officers killed in 2008, along with an additional 254 officers who have died in previous years, will be engraved and immortalized into granite on the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.

On Thursday, the standing of the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Guard and walking of the Thin Blue Line begins at 8 a.m. and goes 07:30 p.m. on Friday at the Minnesota Peace Officers Memorial near the Wabasha Bridge on the State Capitol grounds, with the 14th annual candlelight service in remembrance to follow, when all citizens are invited to remember and honor all law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty in the United States.

Respect, honor, remember.

Tim Matson is a corporal with the Albert Lea Police Department.