Vance remembers National Police Week

  • Published
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Members of the 71st Security Forces Squadron will join fellow police officers nationwide in observing National Police Week beginning Monday. 

May 15 has been National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been National Police Week, since President John Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on Oct.1, 1962. However the first National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service was not until May 15, 1982. National Police Week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service in Washington, D.C. 

"Recognizing National Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week increases public support and awareness for the law enforcement profession, and allows those agencies to gather to promote officer safety," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Odell, 71st SFS kennel master. "It's also a way for us to honor and remember those police officers no longer with us." 

The squadron activities for the week begin Monday with a 6:30 p.m. guard mount visit by members of the Oklahoma Heartland Chapter of the Air Force Security Police Association. The AFSPA members will be providing refreshments while briefing on its mission and recruiting new members. 

For National Peace Officers Memorial Day Tuesday, the base flag will be lowered at 7 a.m. and remain at half staff until retreat. The retreat ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m and will include remarks by representatives of Garfield County Sheriff Department and Enid Police Department. 

Plans for other activities, including a fun shoot May 18 and a softball tournament May 19, are being finalized and details provided in next week's issue of The Scoop. 

Throughout the week, SFS will be conducting a food drive in support of the Enid Salvation Army, who recently announced a shortage of supplies. Donations may be dropped off at collection spots located at the base gym, Airman and Family Readiness Center, base chapel, military personnel customer service or security forces.