***image1***Peace Officers Memorial Day is May 15, signed into public law by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The week in which that day falls is National Police Week, honoring civilian and military law enforcement.
“It is a time to come together as a group of professionals and celebrate the common bond we share; protecting and serving others above our own personal needs,” said Senior Master Sgt. Glynn Davis, superintendent, Elite Guard Flight, 568th Security Forces Squadron. “It is a time to honor and pay respect to our fallen comrades who have unselfishly given their lives protecting others.”
Providing law enforcement for the KMC are Security Police from the 569th and 568th Security Forces squadrons of the 435th Security Forces Group, Ramstein and Military Police from the 415th Base Support Battalion’s Provost Marshal’s Office, 230th Military Police Company, 21st Theater Support Command, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, and recently, the Tennessee National Guard.
The 568th Security Forces Squadron patrols Ramstein, and the 569th Security Forces Squadron and the MPs conduct joint patrols in all KMC areas except Ramstein. The SPs and MPs also work closely with the German Polizei and Bundeswehr.
Law enforcement in the KMC includes ensuring only authorized members gain access to our bases, installations and kasernes, crime and safety response, guarding and protecting some of America’s most valuable resources – people.
“It’s important to honor and recognize law enforcement in general and the job they are doing every day that most people don’t pay attention to unless they have a problem,” said Capt. Elsa Bullard, the 415th Provost Marshal. “It’s important to take some time and recognize some of the sacrifices that law enforcement officers, military and civilian, have made in the last year.”
The KMC’s National Police Week observance kicks off with a prayer breakfast and memorial service 7:30 a.m. Monday at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.
At the memorial service, names of fallen German and American military law enforcement officers killed in the past year will be read out loud.
This includes 21 MPs and two from the Bundeswehr. The security forces did not lose an officer so they will name two officers, one killed in 1998 and the other in 1999. The Polizei will not read names because of their privacy laws, but they will have a representative there to say a few words.
Throughout the week, the 435th SFG will display police equipment 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday at the Ramstein base exchange, Wednesday at the Sembach BX and Thursday, at the Vogelweh BX.
There will be a golf tournament 8 a.m. Thursday at the Woodlawn Golf Course. Registration is 7 a.m. the day of the tournament. To register a team, call Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lillis at 480-7395.
There will also be a shooting competition for police teams 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 at the Vogelweh Rod and Gun Club. To register a team, call Sergeant Davis at 480-5593.
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