Law enforcement agencies from around Erie County today joined the Erie County Department of Central Police Services in an interfaith Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Public Safety Campus in Buffalo. The memorial was part of National Police Week events being held around the country in observance of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers.  Nationally, during 2018, 158 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty.  In 2019 to date, 43 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, including one from New York State. 

“We are thankful for the work police officers tirelessly perform to protect our community.  This week, our nation pays tribute to the sacrifices of the law enforcement officers in Erie County and throughout our nation who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us from harm,” said Erie County Central Police Services Commissioner James Jancewicz. 

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the entire week as National Police Week.  Friday’s service recognized the sacrifices of fallen law enforcement officers in Erie County along with the daily efforts of all individuals involved in public safety, as police chaplains and senior law enforcement officials from around the county noted the heroic efforts of those members of the public safety community who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety.  Since 1887, 108 federal, state and local law enforcement officers from Western New York have been killed in the line of duty.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Central Police Services, visit http://www2.erie.gov/cps/  

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