In 1962, Congress designated May 15 as “National Peace Officers Memorial Day.” It is a time set aside to pay respects to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

In the latest issue of The Police Family News magazine, there is a list of all law enforcement  personnel across the country who were killed in the line of duty during 2007. I counted 153 names ~ 153 public safety officers who died in 2007 during the performance of their duties.

Each name was accompanied by a photograph and it just broke my heart looking at those 153 faces. There were sheriff’s deputies, police officers, constables, Corrections officers, border patrol and federal agents.

They were of all ages, races and genders and their causes of death ranged from highway accidents, drunk drivers, criminal activity and emergency response during major storms and acts of nature.

As if that weren’t bad enough, an additional 15 names had already been submitted for the months of January and February of this year, 2008. It’s one thing to speak of the sacrifices made by these men and women ... it’s another thing to put a face to the names and read of the loved ones they left behind.

And, of course, that list didn’t even include the estimated 600 law enforcement personnel who survived accident or injury, but were disabled. According to FBI. statistics for the year 2006 ~ 58, 634 peace officers were assaulted and suffered injuries. Fortunately, not all those assaults were debilitating, but it serves to illustrate the danger inherent in law enforcement. Incidentally, the FBI’s “Crime Clock” reveals that a violent crime is committed every 22.2 seconds.

Public safety officers are special in their dedication and exceptional in their sense of duty. If there’s one thing a seasoned officer learns early in their career, it is to expect the unexpected. While most people flee a scene of danger, law enforcement personnel are rushing toward that danger. They deserve no less than the best we can give them in equipment, resources and funding.

God has blessed our community in many ways. Chief among those blessings is the high quality of law enforcement personnel we have watching over our welfare and security. Their safety should be foremost in our thoughts and prayers.

Let’s never forget or take for granted the sacrifice of public service officers who have paid the ultimate price on behalf of the citizenry they served. If you would like to help support the families of law enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty, there are two excellent organizations I recommend that have funds set aside just for the families.

The American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens has the “Police Family Survivors Fund.” You can log on to their website at: www.afp-cc.org 

The National Association of Chiefs of Police has the “Family Fund for Paralyzed & Disabled Police Officers.” You can log on to their site at: www.aphf.org/nacop.html
You can also contact both these organizations by calling: (321) 264-0911. Or you can write them at: 6350 Horizon Dr., Titusville, FL 32780

Your support will certainly be appreciated.

I would like to close by sharing with you all the Police Officers Prayer...

“Oh Almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe. Watch over all policemen and law enforcement officers. Father in Heaven please give them the strength, courage and perseverance to endure the unjust condemnation, danger and physical abuse to which they are at times subjected. We recommend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous. Dear God, grant these brave men and women your almighty protection, and unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Amen.”