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News | May 19, 2017

Distribution police officers honor National Police Week with ceremony

By Brianne M. Bender DLA Distribution Public Affairs

The Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Police Force hosted a wreath laying ceremony to pay tribute to local, state, and Federal peace officers who have died in the line of duty on May 15. Each year, our nation loses between 140-160 law enforcement officers in the line of duty.

Distribution police chief Douglas Schraeder thanked everyone who gathered to show their respect for the men and women who have died in the line of duty nationwide.

“The job of police officer is one of the few jobs that a routine day can turn deadly,” said Schraeder. “Attending a police funeral is a humbling experience. It is also part of the job.”

Following Schraeder’s remarks, Sergeant Jeffrey L. LeMasters of the DLA police department read the names of the 179 officers and K9’s who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2016.

Schraeder and Capt. Michael W. Collette proceeded with the laying of the memorial wreath. Everyone in attendance was then offered the opportunity to place a pink carnation in front of the wreath in honor of the fallen officers.

Across the United States, communities have been honoring police officers, and the sacrifices they make for the safety of our country since 1962, the year President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which is falls as National Police Week.

Each year since 1982, thousands of police officers come together in Washington, D.C., to participate in planned events honoring those that made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. National Police Week 2017 began May 15 and concludes May 21.

According to The Officer Down Memorial Page, an independent website, 50 officers and eight K9’s were killed in the line of duty so far this year.

For more information about events open to the public, visit www.policeweek.org.