On average, one law enforcement officer is killed every 53 hours in the U.S. This year, the names of 387 fallen officers will be added to the national memorial in D.C.
In 1962, May 15 was designated National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. President Clinton later directed that the flag be at half-staff that day. That day has since been expanded to National Police Week which began yesterday.
In honor of this week, West Des Moines is hosting a free picnic on Thursday.
Honoring our men and women in blue is a personal issue for me as I’m the proud wife of an officer. Before you stop reading, thinking this blog doesn’t apply to you, take a moment to reconsider. This is an issue of importance to all and especially those in the health field. Whether it’s working together in the ER on a domestice abuse victim, providing healthcare to inmates or recognizing public health outreach isn’t only done by a clinician or social worker, these two fields are closely tied. Someday you may be called to a hostage scene to treat the victim or you may be enjoying a day off and end up doing CPR after an officer extricates someone from a car crash.
Please take three minutes to watch this video and reflect on these dedicated men and women, your partners in community service:
Tim Davis, an officer in Cedar Rapids, just went home last week after being in the hospital since March 29. When he responded to a mugging, he was beaten unconscious. He had brain surgery and was unresponsive for three weeks.
Get more facts here. Also, the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund blog will keep you up to date all year.
