National Police Week 2018

OSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA

05.21.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Ilyana Escalona 

51st Fighter Wing

National Police Week was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
"President Kennedy established May 15th as National Policeman’s Day, and since then it has morphed into a full week where [security forces] get together and take part in different events that honor the fallen who have given their lives in the line of duty," said Master Sgt. James Howard, the 51st Security Forces Squadron superintendent of air base defense and intelligence.
The week is comprised of various events from a 5k run to an Elementary Level Excellence-In-Competition match.
“The 5k run kicks off the week and involves the entire base to coming out to participate,” said Howard. “The middle of the week has events including a soccer game with the ROKAF and a pistol competition hosted by the SFS for everyone to come out and build comradery.”
The week ended with a retreat ceremony to honor agents and officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Both Korean and American security forces were in attendance as well as leadership from Songtan Police station.
“Let us choose not to dwell on how they died or even why they died but rather, let us choose to focus on how they lived, for they served an honorable and most necessary profession,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Ringer, 51st SFS commander. “This is for the men and women who were unwilling to stand by while tyranny exists. Their lives which exemplify courage, toughness, valor, selfless service, provided and still provides hope to all citizens for the preservation of decency.”

• Date Taken: 05.21.2018
• Date Posted: 05.23.2018 22:08
• Story ID: 278192
• Location: OSAN AIR BASE, KR