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Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony closes out JBPHH Police Week

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  In the spirit of commemorating Peace Officers' Memorial Day, Col. Michael Florio, U.S. Pacific Command Anti-terrorism/Critical Infrastructure Protection Division chief and ceremony guest speaker, spoke to the attendees in detail about what it means to be a peace officer May 15.

"There is no greater love than this; to lay down one's life for his friend," he said.

In 1962, President Kennedy declared May 15 as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Since then, Police Week has served as a time to pay special recognition to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

"Your presence today pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Florio told the crowd of 15th Wing and Joint Base leadership, joint law enforcement officers and Airmen, Sailors and Coastguardsmen in attendance.

Florio said it's both a great privilege and responsibility to serve and protect, and encouraged the group of law enforcement officers to never become complacent.

"We are called to mourn those who gave their lives in the line of duty," he said of the ceremony.

In addition to the closing ceremony, the 647th Security Forces Squadron Defenders hosted several community events throughout the week, which began May 11 with a 5K ruck march. A parade through Hickam Communities and a police fair at the Navy Exchange also gave the Defenders an opportunity to interact with the local community while demonstrating some of their unique capabilities.

"This is about building relationships in the community," said Tech. Sgt. Burt Tagaloa, 647th SFS police services NCO in charge. "We're out there for them every day but a lot of times people don't know that because they don't see us. We wanted to celebrate the state and federal officers who wear the badge and who have worn the badge, raise awareness, and thank the community for their support."

Lt. Col. Juan Silva Jr., 647th SFS commander, said there are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers within the United States, each serving within their own communities and throughout the nation, and Police Week is about honoring their heritage.

"We take time out to thank our communities, as the relationship between a citizen and a law enforcement officer is critical," he said. "We know that we police our communities together. At the end of police week we recognize peace officer's memorial day as a day we pay tribute and honor those law enforcement officers across the nation who lost their lives in the line of duty as we remember them for their bravery and wiliness to protect and serve the innocent."

Silva said though law enforcement can at times be a thankless profession, those who wear the badge understand that it's not about the recognition, but the service.

"Let us not forget, we have lost security department Navy civilians, Navy Master-of-Arms and USAF Defenders in the line of duty and we offer our deepest sympathy and respect to their families and friends," he said. "They will always be remembered."