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In 1962, in honor of fallen law enforcement members, President Kennedy declared May 15 as National Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which that day falls on, as National Police Week.
Airmen from the 86th and 435th Security Forces Squadrons, the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron and Soldiers from the 10th Army Air Missile Defense Company, participated in multiple events from May 8 to May 15 in celebration of National Police Week.
“It’s a good time to get different law enforcement entities together to hold events to remember fallen officers, for military police and civilian law enforcement,” said Tech. Sgt. David Newman, operations noncommissioned officer of the 569th USFPS, who facilitated the Police Week events. “It helps build camaraderie between the units.”
To kick-off Police Week, the Staff Sgt. Todd “TJ” Lobraico Jr. Memorial 5k run took place and members of the KMC joined together to honor the fallen Airman, who lost his life while deployed in Afghanistan in 2013. Chief Master Sgt. Jason Parker, 86th Mission Support Group superintendent who was deployed with Lobraico, gave opening comments before the run.
The squadrons also held a display at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center to educate the community about different aspects of their jobs. A few of the activities included a Military Working Dog demonstration, a weapons display, self-defense training and fingerprinting.
“Police Week is all about honoring and remembering fallen members of law enforcement,” Newman said. “It’s also a way to show the community what Security Forces and Military Police do every day to protect the personnel and resources on Ramstein and throughout the KMC.”
Golf and firearms tournaments were also held separately for the squadrons to compete against one another in a friendly competition. The 10th AAMDC took home first place in both tournaments.
Another competition be-tween the squadrons was the Battle of the Badges, a combination obstacle course and run challenge in which the team with the fastest time was declared the winner. The Airmen and Soldiers were tested on physical fitness, self-aid and buddy care, weapons breakdown and reassembly, and the Airmen’s and Soldier’s Creed during the timed event. The 86th SFS won first place in this competition.
“The purpose of this event is to commemorate Police Week and bring the squadrons together,” said Master Sgt. Luis Salcido, 86th SFS Police Services program manager. “It’s a reminder of not only what Military Police officers, but civilian police officers as well, have sacrificed throughout the years. Everybody comes together, and we get to know each other and build camaraderie and teamwork.”
The week was closed with a final guardmount ceremony held at the base flagpole to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
National Police Week is a way for the community to support the law enforcement members that strive to protect them at Ramstein. It also serves as a memorial for those members who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country.
