County Council recognizes officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice

May 13, 2013

Summary

Council declares May 12-18 National Police Week

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today joined municipalities across America in proclaiming May 12–18 National Police Week. The proclamation includes recognizing those men and women who have fallen in the line of duty.

“It is fitting that every year we take time out to honor the fallen heroes of law enforcement,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, the sponsor of the proclamation. “These men and women protect our communities day in and day out and deserve our gratitude for all they do and all they have done.”

“Our law enforcement officers are essential in keeping our communities safe,” said Council Vice-Chair Julia Patterson. “I’m glad that the Council took time today to recognize our officers and honor those that have fallen in the line of duty while serving and protecting the public.”

“It is fitting to honor those protecting the public, and to recognize the families that support them,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “Our heartfelt thanks to these men and women who put their lives on the line every day to serve us and protect us and our thanks to the families who share them with us.”

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. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“We must honor those who have fallen in the line of duty, and Police week gives us an opportunity to appreciate active officers who risk their lives to make our communities safer on a daily basis,” said CouncilmemberLarry Phillips.

“Every week should be police week in honor of the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line 52 weeks out of the year,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.

“As the daughter of a former night Chief of Police, I am very glad that the council has chosen to recognize National Police Week,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “My early years taught me firsthand about the many sacrifices our officers and their families make every day. I am so pleased that we can honor them and express our appreciation for their work.”

“King County has some of the best and bravest law enforcement officers in the country, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our region,” said Councilmember Rod Dembowski. “I am glad we are taking the time to recognize and honor their legacy.”

There are approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, and over 3,100 officers in King County including the dedicated members of the King County Sheriff’s Department; since the first recorded death in 1791, almost 20,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have died in the line of duty.

“This is an important time to honor our fallen heroes,” said King County Sheriff John Urquhart. “These men and woman gave the ultimate sacrifice for the communities they served.”

15 King County Sheriffs Deputies are among the 94 members of law enforcement in King County who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The names of these dedicated local public servants are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C as well as The Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia.


In April, the Metropolitan King County Council gave its unanimous support to legislation sponsored by Councilmember Dunn that will look at creating a memorial to recognize these fifteen fallen deputies that would be placed within the King County Courthouse.

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PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers serve in communities across the United States, with over 3,100 in King County, including the dedicated members of the King County Sheriff’s Office; and

WHEREAS, since the first recorded death in 1791, almost 20,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice, including 94 in King County, with 15 of them being King County Sheriff’s Deputies; and

WHEREAS, the names of these dedicated local public servants are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia; and

WHEREAS, names of recently fallen heroes are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including 119 officers killed in 2012, and 201 officers killed in previous years; and

WHEREAS, on April 8, 2013, the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously passed legislation to study the creation of a King County Sheriff’s Office memorial to honor the 15 fallen members of the Sheriff’s Office, to be located in the King County Courthouse; and

WHEREAS, National Police Week takes place on May 12-18 this year;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, hereby proclaim May 12-18, 2013, as

POLICE WEEK

in King County and salute the service of law enforcement officers in our community and in communities across the nation.

DATED this thirteenth day of May, 2013.