National Police Week Commences with Flag Raising Ceremony

SAN ANGELO, TX — This week is the start of Police Appreciation Week and to kick it off the San Angelo Police Department held a flag raising ceremony at the police headquarters at 401 E. Beauregard Ave.

“In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Police Officer Memorial Day and the calendar week it falls as National Police Week,” stated Police Chief Frank Carter during the ceremony. “Established by a joint resolution in Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition for those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

The ceremony began with Chief Carter speaking about how National Police Week came to be, then continued strong community partnership with San Angelo law enforcement, statistics of law enforcement officers assaults and deaths, and concluded by honoring those who have lost their lives in the line of duty in 2017:

• Detective Jerry Ronald Walker – Little Elm Police Department
• Assistant Chief Deputy Clinton Francis Greenwood – Harris County Constable’s Office
• Police Officer Miguel Moreno – San Antonio Police Department
• Corrections Officer Shana Tedder – Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Deputy Sheriff Jason Matthew Fann – Yoakum County Sheriff’s Office
• Detective Elise Ann Ybarra – Abilene Police Department
• Corporal Monty D. Platt – West Texas A&M University Police
• Sergeant Steven Albert Perez – Houston Police Department
• Deputy Constable Mark Gregory Diebold – Tarrant County Constable’s Office
• Police Officer Elias Martinez Jr. – Metropolitan Transit Authority and Police Department
• Police Officer Floyd East Jr. – Texas Tech Police Department
• Senior Trooper Thomas Patrick Nipper – Texas Department of Public Safety
• Trooper Damon Charles Allen – Texas Department of Public Safety
• Police Officer Kenneth Malcolm Copeland – San Marcos Police Department

The United States flag and the Texas Flag were presented and placed at half-staff. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited together after the flags were raised. A prayer was said at the beginning of the ceremony and again at the end.

A beautiful playing of Taps was presented by Officer Kyle Green using an electric trumpet. Taps is the song universally used to honor the men and women who have fallen for freedom and protecting others. It is the song played to honor those people, when words fail.

A 21 Gun Salute for the fallen officers and a playing of amazing grace by bagpipes concluded the ceremony.

All law enforcement entities of San Angelo were present during the ceremony. All risk their lives every day to protect and serve their communities. Don’t forget to say thank you, not only this week, but every day you see an officer.