Langley Holds Retreat in Honor of National Police Week

A 633rd Air Base Wing Security Forces member renders a salute during the playing of the National Anthem at the Police Remembrance Retreat at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 14, 2012.The ceremony was held to honor all policemen who lost their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Wesley Farnsworth/Released)

Langley Holds Retreat in Honor of National Police Week

Members from the 633rd Air Base Wing Security Forces Squadron and local police departments participate in a retreat to remember officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, May 14, 2012, at Langley Air Force Base, Va., A total of 145 civilian and military police officers lost their lives in the last 12 months throughout the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Wesley Farnsworth/Released)

Langley Holds Retreat in Honor of National Police Week

Virginia State Police trooper John Lafond plays taps during a retreat ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 14, 2012. The ceremony was held to remember the 145 civilian and military police officers who lost their lives in the last 12 months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Wesley Farnsworth/Released)

Langley Holds Retreat in Honor of National Police Week

Members from the 633rd Air Base Wing Security Forces Squadron remember all police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty by way of a 21-gun salute during a retreat ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 14, 2012. The ceremony was held as part of National Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Wesley Farnsworth/Released)

2012 Police Week

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, speaks to Airmen about his theory of "killology," May 15, 2012, at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Grossman, previously a professor of military science and psychology, uses his experiences to teach the science behind human aggression. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Rubi / Released)

JBLE participates in Police Week

Published May 16, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Austin Harvill
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- A mist falls on a cool May morning. The solid silence is encroached upon by the sound of a bugel playing the solemn, five-note tune of taps. All in attendance honor those who have sacrificed that which is most precious -- their very lives.

A memorial service to the men and women of law enforcement, both civilian and military, was held May 14 at Memorial Park. The memorial was only the beginning of a series of events for Police Week to celebrate the achievements of the nation's law enforcement and to honor the sacrifices made.

Local law enforcement and members of the 633rd Security Forces Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., read the list of all 136 names of fallen law enforcement this past year, followed by bagpipe music, which is the traditional instrument of law enforcement. The ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute.

"The ultimate sacrifice for the men and women of law enforcement is falling in the line of duty," said James City County Police Department Master Police Officer Mark Marchand. "This is an honor for us to read the names off for every individual who died in the line of duty across the country."

In addition to paying homage to law-enforcement veterans, Police Week celebrates the achievements of our defenders.

Locally and nationwide, crime has gone down in some areas. In Hampton, Va., violent crime rate has gone down by six percent, according to the Hampton Police Division. From 1991 to 2010, the national homicide rate has gone down more than 50 percent, according to the FBI.

Another event during Police Week featured retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a speaker on combat and war, who gave training at the Langley Air Force Base theater.

Grossman spoke May 15 to the 633rd SFS and local law enforcement about "killology", which is the study of killing in war, the psychological costs of war, possible causes of violence and the process of healing victims of violence.

"Police week is when we take the time to honor these individuals," Grossman said. "We've always honored are military veterans; but those who are fighting the battle every day too are law enforcement."

Other events to celebrate Police Week were scheduled, such as a paintball game, a golf tournament, a 633rd Security Forces Squadron defender's hour and a traditional military ball on May 19, said Senior Amn. Stephanie Cardwell, the 633rd SFS commander's executive.

May 16 was established as Peace Officers Memorial Day by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Police Week is the week of Peace Officers Memorial Day and is held every year in Washington D.C., according to www.policeweek.org.

After its establishment, organizations such as the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Fraternal Order of Police and Concerns of Police Survivors began hosting events to build the image of law enforcement, and to commemorate the fallen.