To pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (75 Stat.676), has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," and the week in which it falls as "Police Week" and by Public Law 103-322 (36 U.S.C. 175) has requested that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers' Memorial Day. - Proclamation Signed by President John F. Kennedy

Since 1972 almost 19,000 U.S. Law Enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.  An officer is lost in the line of duty in the US roughly every 53 hours.

Take a moment or two this week to reach out to those men and women you know (or those you don't) that protect and serve your community.  It's easy to take for granted the security we feel at home or out at a restaurant or store, but there are many people who put their lives on the line for the rest of us to enjoy that peace of mind.  Show them how much you appreciate their service, and pray for the families of those that gave their lives in protection of yours.

I invite you to attend the annual Police Officer Memorial service held at Police Memorial Park next to the Hopkinsville Police Department on Thursday, May 16th, starting at 5:00pm.

 

Remember the Officers, and pray for the families of those, lost in the line of duty in Kentucky in 2012.

 

Deputy Sheriff C. Anthony Rakes Marion County Sheriff's Office, KY EOW: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Mark Allen Taulbee Hodgenville Police Department, KY EOW: Sunday, September 16, 2012 Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit

 

Chief of Police Herbert D. Proffitt Tompkinsville Police Department, KY EOW: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Cause of Death: Gunfire