National Police Week 2009 National Police Week in Washington, DC is an occasion for us all to reflect and recognize the service and sacrifice of our federal, state and local law enforcement officers and remember with reverence those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It is indeed an occasion to pay tribute to the officers that have served and are serving to protect all of us.National Police Week 2009 was started this year with the 14th annual Law Ride which includes hundreds of officers and supporters who gather at RFK Stadium and make a three mile journey via motorcycle to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial where they attend a service and wreath laying ceremony. This year dozens of officers from the Sacramento area rode to honor and remember their fallen colleague Deputy Larry Canfield of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office who lost his life in the line of duty last November. Another awesome venture is the Police Unity Tour, which brought approximately 1200 officers, each one riding for a fallen officer, on bicycles from New Jersey to Washington, DC. The tour which consists of hundreds of miles of cycling over several days was able to raise an unbelievable $1.3 million for the Memorial Fund and Hall of Remembrance in the National Law Enforcement Museum due to open in 2011. Chaplain Steve Holden, Executive Director of the United States Emergency Chaplains Corps has seized the opportunity at this national event to recognize the men and women behind the badge and to serve the families of fallen officers. In 2008, Chaplain Steve had the honor of speaking at the inaugural non-denominational memorial service at the National City Christian Church. In 2009, he served alongside Chaplain Greg Boyle and together they have set a goal of including a Blessing of the Badge at the memorial service in 2010. Chaplain Holden hopes this will become a cause for reflection, prayer and a motivation for attendees to take part in this memorial service that is now officially part of the schedule of events for National Police Week. Part of the function of the Chaplains and other uniformed personnel attending is to escort surviving families through a line of uniformed officers to the site of the Candlelight Vigil held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM). It is at this memorial service where 387 names were added this year to the over 18,000 names that are already a part of its marble walls. The memorial itself captures the spirit with which officers serve all over the country in law enforcement. The NLEOM is adorned with bronze sculptures of adult lions protecting their cubs symbolizing the protection of law enforcement. National Police Week honors the service of law enforcement officers and pays tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It offers a specific time to reflect on the sacrifices made by these officers and a time to pray and thank God for the strength and courage delivered so they may continually fulfill their calling. Please keep these officers and the people paying tribute to them in your prayers that we may never forget their sacrifice or take for granted their unyielding dedication.   |