Team Edwards remembers, honors fallen law enforcement officers

Chief Master Sgt. William Green, 95th Security Forces Squadron security forces manager, speaks to military and civilian attendees, to include local law enforcement, during the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony held May 18 in front of Building 1 which was sponsored by the 95th Security Force Squadron. National Police Week was held May 14 to 18 nation-wide and began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Team Edwards remembers, honors fallen law enforcement officers

Sgt. Don Coats, Mojave California Highway Patrol Traffic Enforcement officer, salutes a wreath placed in honor fallen law enforcement officers during a memorial ceremony held May 18 in front of the Air Force Flight Test Center Headquarters’ building. The ceremony, which was sponsored by the 95th Security Forces Squadron, marked the culmination of National Police Week at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Team Edwards remembers, honors fallen law enforcement officers

Senior Airman Christopher Demario, 95th Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman, plays taps in the background after a three-volley salute by the Edwards Blue Eagles Honor Guard during the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony held May 18 in front of Building 1. Sponsored by the 95th Security Forces Squadron, the ceremony marked the culmination of National Police Week at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Team Edwards remembers, honors fallen law enforcement officers

Published May 22, 2012
By Jet Fabara
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- "In memory of many, in honor of all."

No better was this year's National Police Week motto demonstrated than during the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony held May 18, sponsored by the 95th Security Forces Squadron, which culminated National Police Week at Edwards.

"Today, we held a peace officers memorial ceremony in honor of national police week which primarily honors all the fallen police officers in every law enforcement aspect, whether it be our local law enforcement off base, security forces squadron or Office of Special Investigations," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Randolph, 95th Security Forces Squadron flight chief and master of ceremonies.

Along with base leadership, civilian and military personnel in attendance, local law enforcement officers also attended the ceremony held in front of the Air Force Flight Test Center headquarters' flagpole.

"California Highway Patrol is ranked number six in the country for fallen officers in the line of duty, so it was humbling to see our armed forces give us this honor besides honoring their own fallen," said Sgt. Don Coats, Mojave CHP Traffic Enforcement officer. "It was also an honor to be able to be a part of this ceremony today and read off the names of fallen officers. I really appreciated it and so did fellow law enforcement officers."

Besides having a representative from each of the local law enforcement organizations reading off the names of fellow fallen law enforcement officers, security forces members lowered the flag at half staff in order to commence the three-volley salute by the Edwards Blue Eagles Honor Guard.

"This is my second time participating in a ceremony like this and it always means a lot to pay respect and tribute to those who have fallen," said Senior Airman Nydra Edwards, 95th SFS installation patrolman.

In addition to the ceremony held in front of Building 1, the 95th SFS held military working dog demonstrations in coordination with the Kern County Sheriff K-9 Division at Branch Elementary School, Desert Junior and Senior High School May 14.

National Police Week was held May 14 to 18 and began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.