A moment of silence for law enforcement

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. James Dillard
  • 22nd Security Forces Squadron
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  October 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726. The passage of this public law identified the calendar week during which May 15 occurs would be known as Police Week. In the same stroke of the pen, President Kennedy designated May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day. 

This day would honor all the Federal, State, and municipal officers who had been killed or disabled in the line of duty. In 1994, President William J. Clinton amended the law directing the officials of the government to display at half-staff the flag of the United States on all government buildings on such day. In honor of these courageous officers, the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial was built in Washington, D.C. This wall of honor depicts the names of 15,000 law enforcement officers lost since 1794, ensuring that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Currently there are more than 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers who are our first responders and play a critical role in our Nation's safety. Since May 2007, 160 of our nation's law enforcement officers gave their lives in the line of duty. No officers in the past year had been fatality injured. Unfortunately, Security Forces did lose one of our most talented non-commission officer. Staff Sgt. Travis L. Griffin, 377th Security Force Squadron, Kirtland AFB, was fatally injured while nearing the end of his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. On April 3, Sergeant Griffin was killed in the line of duty when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while he was assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron on patrol in Baghdad.

The job of a police officer is not normally associated with tangible results. The job does not save millions of dollars, build new buildings nor does it make life convenient. Our job is measured by non-events and keeping our Airman safe.

On this, the 45th Police Officers Memorial Day, take the time to say thank you to a police officer for what they do, and pause a moment for the police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.