National Police Week event recognizes sacrifices made by law enforcement officers
Law enforcement agencies in Erie County on Friday joined the Erie County Department of Central Police Services in an interfaith Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Public Safety Campus in Buffalo, part of National Police Week events being held around the country in observance of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers. Nationally, during 2017, 135 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. In 2018 to date, 53 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, including three from New York.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, "Law enforcement personnel selflessly serve our community every day, protecting us and keeping us safe. Their sacrifices are remembered and their service is honored today, as it should be every day. These men and women are true community heroes."
"Police officers work tirelessly to protect our nation and we should never forget to honor the sacrifices of the law enforcement officers in Erie County and throughout our nation who have given their lives to ensure our safety," Erie County Central Police Services Commissioner James Jancewicz said. "This memorial service recognizes those officers who have lost their lives to protect our safety and ensure our freedom."
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the entire week as National Police Week. Friday's service recognized the sacrifices of fallen law enforcement officers in Erie County along with the daily efforts of all individuals involved in public safety, as police chaplains and senior law enforcement officials from around the county noted the heroic efforts of those members of the public safety community who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure public safety.
Since 1887, 88 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in Erie County.
