National Peace Officers Memorial

Today on the grounds of the Capital in Washington, D.C. a memorial service is taking place to honor those law enforcement officers that died in the Line of Duty in 2016 and also to remember those that died in years past.

 

Below is the content of a Presidential Proclamation signed by John F. Kennedy on May 4, 1963.  As you go about your day please take a moment to remember those that died and their families that continue to carry on.  To those on duty, thank you for your service.

    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

Painting At The Capital

There has been a lot of postings on line this week about a painting that was hung in the Capital which depicts a police officer as a pig shooting African Americans.  This was hung last week and then taken down by another member of Congress.  After that it was hung again by the Representative that had originally placed it in the hallway along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

As a law enforcement officer for nearly 36 years I think it is offensive, depicting police officers that way is a generalization and mischaracterization of the men and women that serve their communities day in and day out.  The vast, vast majority are good officers that only want to help people and return to their loved ones at the end of their shift.  But we all took an oath of office and in that oath was a commitment to uphold the Constitution of the United States, not only the articles we agree with, all of the articles and freedom of expression is a fundamental part of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

I think the bigger issue is when did members of the CBC choose to rehang the painting.  They chose to do so within hours of Orlando Police Department Master Sergeant Debra Clayton being shot and killed, hours after Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy First Class Norman Lewis was killed in a motor vehicle crash responding to the scene to search for Sergeant Clayton's murderer.  Before the bodies could be returned to their families this painting was rehung.  At first I was wondering why did it have to go back up within hours of two law enforcement officers giving their lives trying to protect their community, after all if you don’t respect Sergeant Clayton or Deputy Lewis’ chosen profession how about the CBC at the very least show a little compassion for two African American public servants losing their life.  How about waiting a day as a courtesy to two African American families that are being notified and having to grasp the news of a family member being killed?  Then I remembered that in the painting the pig in a police uniform is black!

Members of Congress are supposed to represent their community and I am still an optimist because I can’t believe that we as Americans are as insensitive as our elected representative are.

THAT'S MY OPINION, WHAT'S YOURS