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Police Week: a time to honor those who have sworn to protect and serve

  • Published
  • By Airman Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Law enforcement officers came together during National Police Week to pay tribute to fallen police officers who have paid a price or made a sacrifice in the line of duty.

The 436th Security Forces Squadron and Delaware law enforcement officers gathered together to support National Police Week near the Base Exchange May 18.

"Money raised from National Police Week goes to Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.," said Staff Sgt. Cullen Branch, 436th SFS military working dog handler.

C.O.P.S. represents the families of officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Approximately 15,000 families are supported by C.O.P.S. Police Week activities all across America benefit survivors through fundraisers, which help fund support groups, seminars and counseling.

"One of the things we try to promote is camaraderie between (local) cops and security forces," said Sergeant Branch. "We even train with one another with the K-9 divisions."
That camaraderie was displayed May 18 as the the Delaware State Police, Delaware State University Police, Camden Police Department and Dover City Police joined the 436th SFS on base to display recruiting booth and sport their patrol vehicles including a helicopter.

"It thrills me every time it takes off," said Stanley Jiminez, Delaware State trooper, as a medical-evacuation helicopter prepared to take to the air.

Unlike those who participated in the day's activites while on duty, Jiminez volunteered his off-duty leave time to observe police week here.

"This is only one week out of a year where we get a chance to remember those who have sworn to serve and protect," said Officer Jiminez. "There is not one law enforcement officer who would not lay down their life for the citizens of their state."

Other dedicated Delaware troopers, such as Corporal James Gooch Jr., feels every little bit of participation in Police Week helps to comfort Delaware troopers and families of those killed. Remembering fellow classmates and troopers who were killed in the line of duty is one of his personal reasons for commemorating the week.

"The families of these fallen troopers are what's important to me," said officer Gooch.
Sergeant Branch said a lot of the young security forces Airmen don't experience much of the dangers that are out there everyday when they go to work, but Police Week helps them become aware of those dangers.

President John F. Kennedy recognized Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962 by signing it into law. The week including May 15 is designated as National Police Week. Since then, police week has been a time-honored tradition for law-enforcement members across the Nation.

For more information about Police Week, visit http://www.policeweek.org/.