RICHOMND, VA –
Law enforcement officers from Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Richmond on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, joined officers and sheriff’s deputies from Chesterfield County honoring local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. They gathered for a wreath laying ceremony at the Police Memorial in Chesterfield, Virginia, May 11.
President John F. Kennedy designated May 15, 1962 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year National Police Week is being celebrated virtually May 9-15 honoring police officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our nation’s communities.
According to the Officer Down Memorial page, 119 law enforcement officers nationwide have died in the line of duty so far this year. This is 26 more then all of 2020 when 93 law enforcement officers died in line-of-duty.
For Lt. Col. Mark Bowen, deputy police chief at DSCR, this annual ceremony has a special meaning. Before coming to DSCR close to four years ago, he spent 21 years with the Chesterfield County Police Department. He said it was during this time he met and became good friends with Police Officer Gary Buro.
“The bond between us, the fact we both served in the Marine Corps and then in civilian law enforcement, it was just something. It’s hard to explain, we just hit it off right off the bat,” Bowen said.
Tragically, Buro was killed May 4, 2006 after responding to a domestic violence call.
“I told him at his grave that I will never forget him. I refuse to,” said Bowen as he choked back tears talking about the death of his friend.
Buro was one of five Chesterfield law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty since 1957.
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