Police Week 2009 Has Started

Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

Well, fans, Police Week has begun. Officer.com will have some excellent coverage of it posted probably later today (Wednesday) as well as Thursday and Friday. On Sunday the Law Ride ended at the memorial. Thousands of police officers on motorcycles - some looking like outlaw bikers and others in uniform on duty bikes - rolled into DC. It's important to realize that, as with all events this week, their ride and arrival and tribute paid at the Memorial is to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. On Monday the 30th Annual DC Area Law Enforcement Memorial Service was held, hosted by DC FOP Lodge #1's Auxiliary. This was actually the second memorial service as the 14th Annual Blue Mass was held on May 5th at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in DC. I had the great pleasure to be at the Memorial yesterday (Tuesday) when the Police Unity Tour arrived and that ceremony was held. It was an awesome sight to see well over a thousand bicyclists, who had been riding - literally - for DAYS, roll up to the Memorial. The crowd's cheering and applause was sustained from the first sight of the riders rounding the corner toward the Memorial until the last one had pulled in. On Tuesday evening at Warner Theater in DC the 16th Annual TOP COPS Awards Ceremony was held. And as I type this, today, Wednesday May 13th, there are two huge events going on in DC. First is the 2nd Annual Interdenominational Christian Service for Law Enforcement Families. Held at National City Christian Church and starting at 10:45 am, I think this service is important because it's not JUST about the fallen officers, but ALL law enforcement families. We need to remember those who wait at home and support us in what we do. The second, but by far the largest, is the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil. Starting at 8pm and held right on the Memorial itself, the Candlelight Vigil is, for the first time ever, being streamed live on the Internet right here on Officer.com. Go to the homepage and click on the large graphic on the right side to pre-register (required to view). More events are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The week can be overwhelming but it also serves - for those in attendance - as a reminder of the dedication law enforcement professionals bring to the job every day; the sacrifice some have made; the challenges their surviving families face; and what all other law enforcement professionals should be doing to remember and honor those who have died in the line of duty. The week serves as a recharge to the police battery - that life force that beats in your chest - and helps us drive on with dedication and motivation through another year.