Air Force photograph by Joseph Pol GoconMembers of the 412th Security Forces Squadron raise the flags during a reveille ceremony on the Airman Leadership School drill pad at Edwards Air Force Base, May 16, 2016. The ceremony marked the beginning of Police Week.
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.
This week, the 412th Security Forces Squadron has celebrated and acknowledged the men and women in law enforcement who lay their lives on the line each day as well as recognizing fallen comrades who gave ultimate sacrifice.
According to the Air Force Security Forces Association, 14 SFS defenders have fallen in the line of duty since September 11, 2001. Nationwide, 128 Law enforcement officers lost their lives in 2015, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page at www.odmp.org.
Air Force photograph by Joseph Pol GoconCalifornia Highway Patrol officers and K-9 units from Mojave, California, and Bakersfield, California, join the 412th Security Forces Squadron for a reveille ceremony on the Airman Leadership School drill pad.
Police Week here started Monday morning with an opening ceremony which included law enforcement from Edwards and from California Highway Patrols from Mojave and Bakersfield. Other events this week included a 14-kilometer ruck march (each kilometer representing a fallen SFS defender), a golf tournament, a bowling tournament, and displays and demonstrations of the 412th SFS capabilities.
TSgt. Coliell Washington, Noncommissioned officer in charge of the 412th SFS Investigations, helped organize the ruck march.
“To me, Police Week is also an opportunity to thank those who have the moral courage, strength and dedication to continue to protect and serve, despite the high risk of paying the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “This project was near and dear to me because I knew one of the 14 fallen Defenders; Leebernard Chavis.”
A1C Chavis, 21, of Hampton, Va., died Oct. 14, 2006, while performing duties as a turret gunner with the Iraqi police in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq. Chavis was assigned to the 824th Security Forces Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
Police Week ends May 20 with a retreat ceremony at 4 p.m. on the Airman Leadership School drill pad.
Air Force photograph by Joseph Pol GoconMarchers begin their trek up the first hill during a 14-kilometer ruck march at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 17, 2016. The march was held as part of Police Week observances. Each kilometer represents a fallen Air Force Security Forces member.
Air Force photograph by Pamela VallelyMarchers near the halfway point during 14-kilometer ruck march at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 17, 2016.
