Law enforcement agencies at Davis-Monthan celebrated National Police Week here during the week of May 11-15.
National Police Week focuses on remembering law enforcement officials who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The week consisted of several activities including a combat arms firing competition where agencies convened at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance course to test their pistol firing accuracy and speed while engaging in some friendly competition with each other.
The 355th Security Forces Squadron honored their fallen comrades by performing a 3-volley rifle salute during a retreat ceremony and memorial presentation at Heritage Park.
“We had a fundraiser for the month of April to raise money for a security forces memorial,” said Tech. Sgt. Craig Dicks, 355th SFS operations support NCO. “We went to an agency outside of the installation to come up with a memorial that pays respect to security forces members who were lost from 1947 until now.”
A roll call was conducted during the retreat ceremony honoring 10 security forces Airmen that paid the ultimate sacrifice followed by a moment of silence.
“We all came together to figure out what we could do to honor their sacrifice and show that we still think about these guys day in and day out,” Dicks said.
The memorial and retreat ceremony impacted young Airmen who are brand new to the Air Force such as Airman 1st Class Anthony Delarosa, who arrived at the 355th SFS from tech school about one month ago.
“It just really hit home that it’s not safe out there, but we’re here to make it safe,” Delarosa said. “People die in the military, but it’s important not to forget them and what they did to help defend this country.”