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. National Police Week 2022 in the United States began on Sunday, May 15, and ends on May 21, 2022. Grayshift, alongside businesses and communities across the United States, recognizes National Police Week to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends, and fellow officers they left behind.
Honoring America’s Law Enforcement Community
On May 13, 2022, The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund held the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil at 8:00 PM ET. This year, the names of 619 officers killed in the line of duty were formally dedicated during the vigil and are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can support The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum during National Police Week or throughout the year, please click here.
Former Searcy Police Department Searcy, AR, and current Grayshift Grant Writer, Josh King says, “When an officer dies in the line of duty, it shakes the community at its core. Family, friends, and colleagues mourn. Honoring their ultimate sacrifice, in a selfless profession, is the last impression the friends and families see of how their loved one is remembered. Police officers put their lives on the line every day knowing the risk that it may be their last. The reason we must honor the fallen officers is that it is a reminder that the deceased officer gave his life to protect all of us. This is a life needlessly taken, yet willingly sacrificed, and like those of our fallen military, the funerals, memorial services, and vigils are a celebration of that life and a reminder to everyone how precious life is and how quickly it can be extinguished.”
Supporting the Officer Down Memorial
Former Memphis Police Department, Memphis, TN, and current Grayshift Business Development Leader Wilton Cleveland says, “So often, law enforcement is called a brotherhood, a sisterhood, a familial unit. You live, love, and suffer together. The bond is permanent. After 30 years of experience and having some close calls myself, you realize not everybody goes to work each day thinking it could be their last. Not everyone goes to work wondering what happens to their friends and family if they don’t come home. I believe in supporting the Officer Down Memorial so we may be eternally reminded of the people, of our kinsman, who went out and did the job asked of them and made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Nearly 11% of the Grayshift workforce is comprised of former law enforcement professionals. Grayshift supports the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), a non-profit dedicated to honoring America’s fallen law enforcement heroes, and was a proud sponsor of the 2022 National Police Week 5K, on May 14, 2022. For those interested, the ODMP offers several options for getting involved and showing support including, but not limited to:
For information about how the ODMP uses donations, please click here.
You can learn more about Grayshift team members Wilton Cleveland and Josh King by listening to the podcast, Full Access by Grayshift. Suggested Listening:
Full Access to Your Hosts: Debbie Garner and Wilton Cleveland
Full Access to Grayshift Grant Writer, Josh King
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