National Police Week Honors Officers Lost in the Line of Duty

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

You don’t have to go to Washington, D.C. to show your support for law enforcement.  Here are some things you can do to show your support:

• Say “thank you” when you see them out doing their job
• Send a card to the local police or sheriff’s department
• Share your support on social media
• Share a story of how they have helped you or your family
• Buy them coffee, breakfast or lunch when you see them in a restaurant (ok, or doughnuts)
• Talk with your kids about how law enforcement helps keep our community safe

It always nice to thank law enforcement officers for the work they do but the primary purpose of National Police Week is to remember to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.  So far in 2022 there have been 105 who have died in the line of duty.  This number includes one in South Carolina. Police Officer Roy Andrew Barr with the Cayce Police Department died on April 24th. Officer Barr was shot and killed as he and other officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home in the early morning hours.  He was 28 years old and had six years of service.

Law enforcement officers go to work every day to do their job. Their families pray that they will be safe and come home.  Let’s remember the ones who didn’t come home and be grateful for the service of all.