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, part of National Police Week events being held around the country in observance of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers. Nationally, during 2016, 135 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. In 2017 to date, 51 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, representing a 42% increase from the same time last year.

“Our community should never forget to recognize and honor the sacrifices of the law enforcement officers in Erie County and throughout our nation who have given their lives to ensure our safety,” said Erie County Central Police Services Commissioner James Jancewicz. “This memorial service recognizes those officers who have lost their lives, as well as those officers who work tirelessly and put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis to protect our safety and ensure our freedom.”

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. Thursday’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, 87 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in Erie County.

For more information:

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

On National Police Week, visit http://www.policeweek.org/