Law Enforcement Memorial 2012
This year has been
interesting in that my schedule had allowed me to visit law enforcement
memorials and attend services for those killed in the line of duty. Jo even participated in the Inaugural 1st
Annual COPS Walk Southwest. What a
blessing it has been so far. I am
including some images from places visited this year and in the past. I am also providing links to organizations
that assist law enforcement and their families or have other connections. Enjoy the images and please check out the
organizations.
Arizona Concerns of Police Survivors
Concerns
of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the
lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers
killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore,
C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor
victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law
enforcement profession and its survivors.
Concerns of Police Survivors
C.O.P.S.
was organized in 1984 with 110 individual members. Today C.O.P.S. membership is
over 15,000 families. Members include
spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, and affected
co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty according to Federal
government criteria. C.O.P.S. is
governed by a National Board of law enforcement survivors. All programs and services are administered by
the National Office in Camdenton, Missouri. Chapters function in several states
at the grass-roots level.
"Carved
on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both
democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the
American dream."
—President
George H.W. Bush
"The
wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a
lion."
"It
is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they
lived."
—Vivian
Eney Cross, Survivor
National Law Enforcement Memorial – Washington, D.C.
The
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E
Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement
officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the
Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made
the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its
people.
Officer Fatality Update
Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities: Preliminary
2012 Numbers
as of May 30, 2012
|
|
2012
|
2011
|
%Change
|
Total Fatalities
|
45
|
80
|
-44%
|
Firearms-related
|
16
|
35
|
-54%
|
Traffic-related
|
17
|
27
|
-37%
|
Other Causes
|
12
|
18
|
-33%
|
“Supporting
those behind the badge and their families…”
Arizona Peace Officers Memorial – Phoenix, AZ
Every
year, on the first Monday in May, the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board
honors the officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice and their
families. The weekend prior to the
Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Service, the Board also hosts the Annual Peace
Officers Memorial Charity Golf Tournament and the Annual Peace Officers
Memorial 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run.
All proceeds of the event will assist with the annual Arizona Peace
Officers Memorial Service. Every year the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board
recognizes those officers that have made the “ultimate sacrifice”. The service
allows current and past years survivors a time to join together to honor their
fallen heroes.
Officer Down Memorial Page
“Remembering
All of Law Enforcement’s Heroes.”
Ray Rios Memorial – Douglas, AZ
The Ray
Rios Fallen Officers Memorial is Located in Douglas Arizona. It is placed in
honor and memory of our fallen heroes in Law Enforcement, Firefighting and EMS
in Cochise County who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty-
their lives.
For me
visiting the memorials is therapeutic and intense. It is a time to reflect, remember, regret,
and revere. Of course it hits me
personally due to my own losses. My Dad,
agency co-workers, and others who take up the call understand things a bit
differently than the rest of the people, who in turn give the ultimate
sacrifice. I also feel for those who
have been left behind to grieve and sort out the meaning of it all. The lives lost and experiences affect all
that are touched by the loss. No one
expects to not return from work, but all in this line of work know it is a
possibility. I have met a great number
of incredible survivors and others who care greatly.
"In
valor there is hope."
