Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund highlighted three fallen officers from 2011 as examples of the terrible price our nation pays for public safety—Virginia Tech Police Officer Deriek W. Crouse, who was ambushed at a vehicle stop; Washington Corrections Officer Jayme Biendl, who was strangled by an inmate; and Fond du Lac (Wis.) Police Officer Craig Birkholz, who was shot by a barricaded suspect.
Floyd underscored the hazards of police work at the Sunday event by mentioning that police fatalities have risen in the past several years—152 officers from 2010 and 116 from 2009 were added to the wall at the past two vigils.
"The Thin Blue Line has been diminished over the past few years," Floyd said. "Your service and sacrifice is highly valued. You may not hear the words 'thank you' enough, but your nation has built a memorial in your honor."
So far in 2012, police fatalities have fallen sharply. Forty officers have perished in the line of duty, a 40% drop compared to 2011. Also, firearms-related police deaths have falled 55% in 2012, Floyd said.
"In both memory and spirit, they are still with us," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder said of the fallen officers. "No words can ease the grief for each terrible loss we celebrate this evening. Yet I believe we can take some measure of comfort in the enduring impact each one of them has had. "
Napolitano said the candles "illuminate this sacred ground" and offered "our eternal gratitude, our blessings, and our respect."
SOURCE: http://www.policemag.com/Channel/Patrol/News/2012/05/13/Police-Week-Vigil-Honors-Sacrifice-of-Fallen-Officers.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+POLICE-All+%28POLICE+Magazine%29
Content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
No comments:
Post a Comment