Police Week: Recognizing law enforcement officers’ sacrifices

Photo By Senior Airman Racheal Watson | Members of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron hold roses for their fallen comrades during a National Police Week memorial ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 14, 2015. National Police Week, which occurs annually, pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers, civilian and military, who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Racheal E. Watson/Released)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.15.2015

Story by Senior Airman Racheal Watson 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Silence fell over The Rock community as names of fallen law enforcement personnel were read, reminding everyone of brothers and sisters in uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron paid respects to comrades and fellow law enforcement officers during National Police Week here.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

The week distinguishes the dedication, fortitude, accomplishments and responsibilities of our nation’s law enforcement professionals.

“Each year, people across the country gather during the week to honor those who serve their communities through law enforcement and to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Staff Sgt. Anastasia Sterling, a 386th ESFS reports and analysis program manager.

Security forces defenders scheduled various events throughout the week to challenge the participants’ camaraderie and teamwork, to include a four-person team challenge, an open house, ruck march and memorial service.

“We are holding true to this tradition [of celebrating Police Week] and are here to honor fallen police officers, whether they be civilian or military, Security Forces, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Canadian Military Police, or Italian Carabinieri, and those past and present who have made it their calling in life to serve and protect,” said Sterling.

Years ago warriors wore a shield as battle armor for protection, but over the centuries it became more than a piece of equipment, said 1st Lt. Carlos Thomas, a 386th ESFS operations officer. The helmet was seen as the warrior’s protection and if he lost it, he faced virtually no repercussions. The shield was seen as the protection of the entire battle-line and if the warrior lost it, he faced the most severe penalty under the law.

During the memorial service Thomas recited the Spartan Shield Prayer.

“This is my shield, I bear it before me in battle, but it is not mine alone. It protects my brother on my left. It protects my city. I will never let my brother out of its shadow, nor my city out of its shelter. I will die with my shield before me facing the enemy.”

Law enforcement personnel, military and civilian, wear their Spartan shields on their blouse, a mere symbol of the sacrifice guardians before them made.

The poem “In the Line of Duty” captures the heart of police week with a reminder of “Today an officer will place their badge on their chest to fulfill the dreams of heroes killed in the line of duty.”

• Date Taken: 05.15.2015
• Date Posted: 05.15.2015 08:42
• Story ID: 163398
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: NEVADA AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, RENO, NV, US
• Hometown: OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NE, US
• Hometown: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, US