SOUTHWEST ASIA --
Silence fell over The Rock community as names of fallen law
enforcement personnel were read, reminding everyone of brothers and sisters in
uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron paid respects to
comrades and fellow law enforcement officers during National Police Week here.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which
designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that
date falls as Police Week.
The week distinguishes the dedication, fortitude, accomplishments
and responsibilities of our nation’s law enforcement professionals.
“Each year, people across the country gather during the week to
honor those who serve their communities through law enforcement and to remember
those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Staff Sgt. Anastasia Sterling, a 386th
ESFS reports and analysis program manager.
Security forces defenders scheduled various events throughout the
week to challenge the participants’ camaraderie and teamwork, to include a
four-person team challenge, an open house, ruck march and memorial service.
“We are holding true to this tradition [of celebrating Police Week]
and are here to honor fallen police officers, whether they be civilian or
military, Security Forces, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations,
Canadian Military Police, or Italian Carabinieri, and those past and present
who have made it their calling in life to serve and protect,” said Sterling.
Years ago warriors wore a shield as battle armor for protection,
but over the centuries it became more than a piece of equipment, said 1st Lt.
Carlos Thomas, a 386th ESFS operations officer. The helmet was seen as the
warrior’s protection and if he lost it, he faced virtually no repercussions.
The shield was seen as the protection of the entire battle-line and if the
warrior lost it, he faced the most severe penalty under the law.
During the memorial service Thomas recited the Spartan Shield
Prayer.
“This is my shield, I bear it before me in battle, but it is not
mine alone. It protects my brother on my left. It protects my city. I will
never let my brother out of its shadow, nor my city out of its shelter. I will
die with my shield before me facing the enemy.”
Law enforcement personnel, military and civilian, wear their
Spartan shields on their blouse, a mere symbol of the sacrifice guardians
before them made.
The poem “In the Line of Duty” captures the heart of police week
with a reminder of “Today an officer will place their badge on their chest to
fulfill the dreams of heroes killed in the line of duty.”