LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE (Originally published on May9, 2011)

(Photograph by Rene Pimentel , Rene Pimentel Photography, Member Miami Police Department)


Each year, during the month of May Law Enforcement/ Peace Officer Memorial Services are held 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. Also recognized during these services are those that have been disabled and military personnel that have died serving our country (we also honor those that have been discovered from past years that had not been recognized).

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 dealing with our own loss. 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 lets the families know that they are not alone.
 
People often 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

I have attended many such services and also had the honor to be the Master of Ceremonies for both State and Miami Police services. As I’ve 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 (The Florida LEO Memorial Service is currently held the first weekend in May, 2 weeks before the National Service in Washington, D.C.). I have dealt with families whose lives basically stopped; they chose to live in the past. I also gave thanks that I made it through another year of my career and my family not having 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. My mother was a social worker and always made herself available to the families. Mama Mann (as some of my partners and crews came to know her) made herself available because it was what one person did for another, and because she remembered the feelings she experienced as a detective met her at home to inform her that I had been seriously injured, and the ride to the local trauma center in the police car before learning that I was stable and would survive. She wanted to do whatever she could to ease their suffering; it was her way of giving thanks for her son’s good fortune.

Just as when I first wrote about the LEO Memorials in 2009, I know this is going to sound bad, but I do not mean it that way, I mean this in the positive. When I’ve attended the services, as the families passed me I thought of how simple some appeared. I would watch them and remember what made this country great, and had more confidence that America will get through the current economic and geo 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 during this time 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 to day activities I hope you take a moment on May 15th 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).


The Presidential Proclamation can be found at The American Presidency Project: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=24099

NOTE:
The Fraternal Order of Police, Florida State Lodge sponsors the two day event in Tallahassee each year. It is done to pay tribute to, and honor those that have given their lives in service to their community, and to provide some comfort to the families as they deal with their grief. The Florida State Lodge has formed a Memorial Foundation to help with the financial cost of providing this service. If you are interested in learning more, or may know a business that would like to assist more information is available on the Florida State Lodge’s web site www.floridastatefop.org.

If you are an FOP member the State of Florida now has an FOP license plate available for members, the proceeds are also used to support the Memorial Service and information is also available on the State Lodge’s web site.