By JOEL PHILLIPS

Each May, communities across the nation pause to recognize the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers during National Police Week. For the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, this is a time to honor the deputies who serve with dedication every day and to solemnly remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, National Police Week is observed annually around May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day. It is a time to reflect on the commitment and courage of law enforcement personnel and to express appreciation for their critical role in maintaining safety and upholding the law.

This week, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office joins agencies across the country in honoring fallen officers by participating in memorial events and moments of silence. The names of those lost in the line of duty are etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C., ensuring their legacies are never forgotten.

In Marshall County, the Sheriff’s Office takes great pride in the men and women who patrol our roadways, respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, protect Courts and judicial process, maintain custodial care and welfare of inmates, and work tirelessly to protect the people of our community. Their work is challenging and at times dangerous, but their sense of duty never waives. Serving Marshall County is an honor we do not take lightly. This week is a powerful reminder of the responsibility we carry, and the trust placed in us by our community.

National Police Week is also an opportunity for the community to show its support. Whether through a thank you note, taking a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made, or simply a kind word means more than you may know. Some of the greatest moments are when a young child is not afraid to approach us just to say “hi” or “thank you,” reassuring that we will be there to help when needed.

As we observe National Police Week, let us honor the past, support the present, and work together toward a safer future. We extend our deepest respect to all law enforcement professionals and their families, and we thank the residents of Marshall County for their continued support. To the members of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for your service, your integrity, and your unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community.

——-

Joel Phillips is the Marshall County Sheriff.

By CHRIS JONES

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week including that day as National Police Week. National Police Week allows us to honor and remember our fallen law enforcement officers, support their families, and recognize the dedication and service of those who have served and are serving within the profession. For local law enforcement officers, this week provides a moment of reflection on the tremendous public support we have within Marshall County. Throughout my career, I have grown to appreciate this time of recognition as an opportunity to remember all those members who have helped guide me. I have also learned to appreciate the high level of support other law enforcement officers have for each other. Law enforcement is a demanding profession, both physically and mentally. It is tough on the officers who serve and even more on the families of those supporting their law enforcement professionals.

In 2017, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., during National Police Week as part of my training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Throughout the week, the 230 members of my academy class participated with tens of thousands of other peace officers from around the world in various public and private events honoring those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. While participating in this event, three opportunities significantly impacted me personally and professionally. One was my visit to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall located just north of the National Mall. The Officer Memorial Wall holds over 24,000 names of peace officers who have died in the line of duty, as each of their names is engraved on the wall throughout the park. The second opportunity was participating in an evening candlelight vigil. The vigil filled the National Mall area with thousands of law enforcement personnel who had joined to listen to the names of officers who had made the ultimate sacrifice being read aloud. My final opportunity had the most significant impact. It was an opportunity to participate as a joint support specialist for Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). During our class session, dozens of youth were brought to the FBI Academy in Quantico for a day of events. The program’s purpose was to provide the accompanying adults who were direct family members of fallen officers an opportunity to participate in adult individual and group grief counseling. At the same time, their children received support and age-appropriate counseling sessions.

The impact of participating in these events has changed my perspective forever. It has given me a greater understanding of the sacrifices officers and their families make to fulfill a peace officer’s responsibilities. It has also provided me, as a law enforcement leader, with a greater appreciation for the families of my staff who help support our officers as they continue to perform their daily duties. National Police Week has historically been a time when our public has shown outward support for our peace officers. As you extend your respect this week to those in uniform, those who have retired, and those who have passed, please remember to show special appreciation to their dedicated families who have endured and sacrificed so much to ensure their loved one could fulfill their dream of being a peace officer.

——-

Christopher Jones is the chief of the Marshalltown Police Department.