When you see flags flying at half staff today, keep in mind the contributions and sacrifices that municipal peace officers make in our community and our country.
Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day, a tradition established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. He designated May 15 as the memorial day, and the week in which it falls as Police Week.
In 1982, about 120 people gathered for a memorial service in Washington, D.C., to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Today, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the nation are expected to gather at the annual memorial service. Last year, 106 men and women officers laid down their lives while protecting their communities.
President Donald Trump has continued the tradition this year. In a statement, he said: “Our Nation’s law enforcement officers serve with courage, dedication, and strength. They fearlessly enforce our laws, even at the risk of personal peril, safeguarding our property, our liberty, and our lives. We owe them, and their families, our full and enduring support.”
One way to support law enforcement is to find ways to reduce violent crime. One national program to do that is the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. It partners with local law enforcement and community partnerships, along with strategic enforcement efforts, to arrest the most violent criminals in the most violent locations.
We’ve come to know all of them as professional agencies that take pride in their work of enforcing laws and keeping our residents safe. None of them, of course, is perfect, and we’re not afraid to criticize them when they fall short of their expectations. But generally, they’re top notch agencies, and we’re blessed to have them in our community.
We hope you’ll join us today in honoring the men and women who risk their own safety to keep us safe.
Central Missouri Newspapers