GILLETTE, Wyo. — Campbell County is recognizing National Police Week, which takes place May 14–20 this year.
The week to honor all law enforcement officers falls around the observance of National Peace Officer Memorial Day, which was first recognized by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. May 15 of each year is “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and the week in which it falls is “Police Week.” President Joe Biden Jr. made a proclamation May 12 regarding the observances.
“At the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., there is a quote engraved on the wall that reads, ‘It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived,'” the proclamation said. “Today, during this week, and year-round, we express our gratitude for the courageous women and men of our Nation’s law enforcement community. We honor the memory of the members who made the ultimate sacrifice and pray for their families. And we recommit ourselves to the sacred task of creating a safer and more just Nation for all Americans.”
The Gillette Police Department will host the National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. May 17 at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, 600 W. Boxelder Road, Gillette. A luncheon will follow. There will also be a ceremony at 3 p.m. May 18 at the Gillette Police Department, 201 E. 5th St., Gillette, in memory of Gillette police officer Jon Hardy, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 20, 1983.
Flags were at half-staff May 15 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2023, Gov. Mark Gordon said in a tweet.
“Take a moment to pay tribute to those who have died or been disabled while protecting and serving our citizens,” Gordon said.
