I just wanted to take the time to let you all know that May 15 is National Law Enforcement Memorial Day. The National Law Enforcement Memorial is located in Washington, D.C. The following stats were taken from the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund website.
There are more than
800,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure ever. About
12 percent of those are female.
A total of
1,649 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every
53 hours or
165 per year. There were
145 law enforcement officers killed in 2006.
Since the first recorded police death in 1792, there have been more than 17,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Currently, there are 17,535 names engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The names of the 145 officers killed in the line of duty in 2006 will added to the Memorial this year bringing the total to 17,680.
www.NLEOMF.com
In 2007 there has already been
34 Officers killed in the line of duty. Here’s a link to the Officer Down Memorial Page that lists those Officers that died in the line of duty so far this year.
I will update this thread each time an Officer is killed in the line of duty so no one forgets those that have made the Ultimate Sacrifice.
http://www.odmp.org/year.php (broken link)
"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown
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EOW: Officer Lonnie Wells, Moncks Corner PD, SC
