LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE

During the past two weeks Law Enforcement/ Peace Officer Memorial Services have been taking place throughout Florida and the nation. These services pay tribute to, and honor those law enforcement officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice; they’ve died in the line of duty. These services are also designed to assist the families of those that have given their lives.

In Florida the memorial service is actually a two day event, Sunday and Monday, and it honors municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers serving in Florida that have died in the line of duty (we also recognize those that have been disabled and military personnel that have died serving our country).

On Sunday there is a lunch and meetings for the survivors where information is shared, including information about COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors). On Sunday evening there is a candlelight vigil at the capital courtyard, and on Monday there is the ceremony at the state capital. These days are also a time for the families to see that they are truly not alone. There are survivors there from previous years, they meet, get to know each other, and talk. The new survivors get to see that they are not alone and they get to be with others that have gone through what they are experiencing. They get to see that there truly is someone that knows what they are going through.

This is also a time for officers to come together, to honor coworkers and friends that have died. In law enforcement we are good at helping citizens deal with tragedy, but we are poor at it. This is an opportunity for those of us that have experienced the death of a friend in the line of duty to meet with and support those that are experiencing such a death for the first time. I first experienced such a loss four days after graduating from the police academy. Back then (1981) cops didn’t show emotion; cops weren’t impacted by the death or murder of a friend/ coworker. If you showed any emotions you were no good for law enforcement and some senior officers would do what they could to force, or convince you to quit. We know now that this is not the case, it is ok to be impacted, to be sad, it is how you deal with it that is important. By our coming together we show those officers that they are not alone, that there is someone that they can talk with.

Another thing that those of us can do for officers that are experiencing such a loss for the first time is help them also deal with the family. Often time’s officers are uncomfortable being with the family because they don’t know what to say, or how to ease the family’s suffering. I tell them that they don’t have to say a word, just being there shows the family know that they are not alone.
 
People ask why these memorials take place during the month of May. This is done to coincide around the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. On May 4, 1963 President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3537 Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week. This proclamation designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 15th as Police Week (you can find the proclomation on line, a source that I used was The American Presidency Project at http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=24099).

I attended the Florida Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service in Tallahassee on May 4, 2009. I was there to pay tribute to Miami Police Officer James Walker and the other officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice. Officer Walker was murdered January 2008, shot and killed by a subject armed with an AK-47 assault weapon.

As I watched the families I took a moment to pray to God to look after them, to give them the strength to get through the next two weeks and to go on with their lives. I have dealt with families whose lives basically stopped; they chose to live in the past.

I also gave thanks that I made through my career with the Miami Police Department and my family never had to go through what these families were experiencing. There were times that my mother felt guilty, but whenever an officer died in the line of duty she prayed for the family, and also gave thanks that it wasn’t me. She was a social worker and always made herself available to the families (remembering what she felt like as a detective picked her up and transported her to the local trauma center, and the relief she felt when she found I was stable and would survive injuries I had sustained).

I know this is going to sound bad, but I do not mean it that way, I mean this in the positive. As the families passed me I thought of how simple some appeared. As I watched them I remembered what made this country great, and had more confidence that America will get through the current economic and political mess and be stronger. These families were proud that their loved one had chosen public service over another career that could have been more financially satisfying. Instead of being bitter, they stood tall and proud. Sure that choice was causing them pain now, but still they stood tall.

Each year when I attend these services I remember my friends that died in the line of duty. I also choose to rededicate myself to my chosen profession, and to serving my community.

As you go through your day today (May 15th) I hope you take a moment to remember those public servants that have lost their lives serving your/ our community. Also, take a moment to appreciate those in your personal life that you care about, maybe even let them know how you feel about them (believe me I know how hard that is, but try).

That's My Opinion, What's Yours




Proclamation 3537 - Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week
May 4, 1963


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation
WHEREAS, from the beginning of this Nation, law enforcement officers have played an important role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms which are guaranteed by the Constitution and in protecting the lives and property of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, through constant application of new procedures and techniques, such officers are becoming more efficient in their enforcement of our laws; and

WHEREAS it is important that our people know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police departments and the necessity for cooperating with them in maintaining law and order; and

WHEREAS it is fitting and proper that we express our gratitude for the dedicated service and courageous deeds of law enforcement officers and for the contributions they have made to the security and well-being of all our people; and

WHEREAS, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (76 Stat. 676), the Congress has requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN F. KENNEDY, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate May 15, 1963, and May 15 of each succeeding year, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of those peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, have lost their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty.

I also designate the week of May 12 through May 18, 1963, and the calendar week during which May 15 occurs of each succeeding year, as Police Week, in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, protect us through enforcement of our laws.

I invite State and local governments, patriotic, civic, and educational organizations, and the people of the United States generally, to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week in this year and each succeeding year with appropriate ceremonies in which all our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities, and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-seventh.

JOHN F. KENNEDY
By the President:
GEORGE W. BALL,
Acting Secretary of State

I'll be Back

It has been a while since I've written, no I didn't change my mind about writing articles. As some know I've been dealing with a situation the past month, and to be honest at the end of the night (when I usually do my writing), or when I would take a lunch break at work, I didn't want to see a keyboard or the journal that I use to write ideas for the blog (to paraphrase a famous quote, Yes Virginia there are really people that write longhand).

I am currently drafting two posts, one regarding peace officers memorial and another on comments that President Obama has made regarding college education.

Thanks for your patience, and if you have any ideas or comments let me know.