‘We are indebted to the unwavering public service of these courageous individuals’
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Wednesday adopted a measure sponsored by Sen. Tom Barrett declaring May 9-15, 2021 as Police Week in the state.
“Our police and corrections officers put their lives on the line every day as they serve and protect us,” said Barrett, R-Charlotte. “Our communities rely on these courageous individuals, and we are indebted to their unwavering public service. Police Week is a way we can honor their work.”
Senate Resolution 48 states, “Michigan’s fallen officers will never be forgotten, nor will their service to their respective communities. By choosing to commit themselves to law enforcement, these brave individuals answered the call for service and willingly put their lives in jeopardy. We commend them for recognizing service as a noble career and protecting the public safety.”
President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
Barrett said there are more than 22,000 full-time uniformed law enforcement officers in Michigan, including corrections officers, serving in more than 600 state, county, and local departments and facilities.
In 2020 alone, 264 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty across the country.
“There have been hundreds of incidents of assaults on officers in corrections facilities across the state that have resulted in serious injury for officers,” Barrett said. “Members of law enforcement deserve the appreciation and respect of the people of Michigan for the merit, dignity, bravery, and reliability they exhibit each and every day.
“We must also honor the sacrifices made by families of police officers, as each day they must face constant fear as their loved one works to protect us.”
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