Fallen Officers to be Honored by Comrades, Community

In honor of fallen law enforcement officers nationwide, representatives from local agencies will join with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office on May 17 to mark National Police Week during a special event in San Rafael.

A flag ceremony is scheduled for 7 a.m. May 17 at the Marin Civic Center Flag Pole, just outside the County Administration Building, and will take about 15 minutes. In years past, representatives from law enforcement agencies around Marin line up in uniform for the ceremony. Marin County Superior Court judges, County supervisors and selected administrators from County departments participate as well. A chaplain will provide an invocation prior to the raising of the American flag.

“It’s a very small way for those of us to show respect and honor to those who have fallen in the line of duty,” Sheriff Robert Doyle said. “It’s a token of the thoughts and prayers we have for not only those officers but their families.”

National Police Week (May 12-17) traces its origins to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Since 1982, thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world have converged on Washington, D.C., each May to participate in events honoring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Upwards of 40,000 participants are expected this year, not counting those who hold local ceremonies all over the country.

Visitors to the May 17 event are urged to park in the lot east of Civic Center Drive near the lagoon.