Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and respond in times of crisis. Sadly, last year 117 of these brave men and women never returned home.

To salute the dedication and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families, in 1962 Congress established May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week on which it falls as National Police Week.

Last week, May 10-16, communities nationwide and across Southwest Michigan united to honor and remember those officers who were killed in the line of duty, as well as the family, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

The names of 273 officers were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The newly engraved names include those of the 117 officers killed in 2014 and an additional 156 officers who died in previous years. The names were read during a poignant and emotional candlelight vigil at the memorial.

Here in Southwest Michigan, local police officers, families of current and former officers and people from throughout the area took part in the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day Service at the Law Enforcement Memorial located in St. Joseph’s Lake Bluff Park.

The ceremony was a time to pay tribute to the heroes who lost their lives in service to our community.

Remembering our fallen officers is a great reminder of how blessed we are to have such amazing and selfless officers here in Michigan.

While police week is over, I encourage all Southwest Michigan residents to take a moment throughout the year to thank our outstanding law enforcement officers for all they do to make our state and our community a better, safer place to live.

May God keep them safe and bless their families with strength.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.