National Police Week honors fallen civilian, military law enforcement officers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Cross
  • 71st Security Forces Squadron
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Communities across the United States will come together during National Police Week -- May 9-15 -- to honor and remember those law enforcement officers, both civilian and military, who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Vance events during Police Week will include reveille, a torch run from Tinker AFB, Okla., to Vance AFB, a candle light vigil, golf tournament, cops for kids demonstrations and displays, a fun shoot, a barbeque and a combined retreat ceremony.

This year, the names of 324 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. These 324 officers include 116 officers who were killed during 2009, plus 208 officers who died in previous years but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

"During National Police Week, all of us who wear the badge remember those that came before us and of the sacrifices they and their families have made to serve and protect," said Lt. Col. Stringer, commander of the 71st Security Forces Squadron here.

The fallen officers include three members of the Oklahoma law enforcement community in Seminole and Osage Counties and two Air Force Security Forces members.

On July 26, 2009, in Seminole County, Deputy Sheriff Robbie Chase Whitebird and Deputy Sheriff Marvin Gene Williams were shot in the line of duty while trying to serve a search warrant.

On Dec. 3, 2009, in Osage County, Deputy Sheriff Adam Michael Mehagan was responding to back-up another officer when his vehicle went off a curve and rolled twice ejecting him from the vehicle.

On Sept. 8, 2009, in Baghdad, Iraq, 1st Lt. Joseph Helton lost his life to an improvised explosive device. On Jan. 12, 2009, at Lackland AFB, Texas, Staff Sgt. Kenneth J. Wilburn died in a training accident.

The names of all 324 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the 22nd Annual Candlelight Vigil. The ceremony will be broadcast live over the Internet at 7 p.m. local, May 13. To register for the broadcast, go to www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

For more information about National Police Week, please visit www.LawMemorial.org/policeweek. For information about Police Week events at Vance, contact Senior Airman Matthew Cross, 479-685-9564.