Bucks County Shows Support for National Police Week

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Since then, this week has been allocated to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, and those who continue to serve and protect our communities.

The events began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year. Many states also hold their own events and memorials to pay tribute.

In DC, National Police Week draws in between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. This provides a unique opportunity to meet others who work in law enforcement. In that spirit, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1 sponsors receptions each afternoon and evening during Police Week. These events are open to all law enforcement personnel and are an experience unlike any other.

Today, May 9 2021, marks the first day of National Police Week, which continues a tradition of more than 50 years of honoring the dedicated men and women who serve, have served, or paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep their communities safe.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund website, 1,627 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty during the past 10 years. That’s an average of one officer’s death every 54 hours, or 163 deaths per year. This is an astounding statistic.

One officer is killed every 54 hours.

And yet, these men and women in Bucks County (and surrounding areas) – are our neighbors, friends and family – continue to sign up and show up everyday on the front lines, no matter the long hours, the low pay, the health risks, emotional stress, and ongoing challenges that every community faces.

We are blessed to be protected by the dedicated and compassionate officer’s and public safety professionals of Bucks County, incredibly brave men and women that selflessly serve our community. These officers serve without a lot of recognition and in the face of danger.

An intentional moment to say thank you, going out of our regular routines to applaud them, stopping our ordinary daily schedules to honor our extraordinary daily heroes is a small gift for the ongoing gift they give to us – the gift of a safer, better community because of their service.

So this week — National Police Week — let’s make it happen.

Please join us Sunday, May 16, 2021 for a walk for our heroes- followed by a family event and rally afterwards at the old Doylestown Courthouse. The (optional) walk begins at 1pm, followed by the event at the courthouse at 2pm.

There will be a DJ to play music, along with several guest speakers. The speakers list includes but is not limited to:

• Joe Gale - (the current Montgomery County Commissioner) who is a candidate for Pennsylvania Governor.

• Sean Gale- running for Pennsylvania State Senator.

• Fred Harran - the Chief of Police for Bensalem and candidate for Bucks County Sheriff.

• Stephen Corr and Amir Stark, both candidates for Judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County are among confirmed speakers.

The 2nd annual event was put together by Kristine Davies, founder of The Thin Line; and Caroline Dutertre, founder of Bucks Backs the Blue.