JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Fifty years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week around it as National Police Week.
Every year, thousands of police officers around the world participate in events created to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Next week, Joint Base San Antonio security forces members and military police officers will come together and join with local police departments to honor their comrades who have perished.
"We are going to get all the security forces squadrons throughout the three locations together to conduct a remembrance ruck," Staff Sgt. Eric Simmons, 902nd Security Forces NCO In Charge of Police Services, said. "We'll get our rucksacks and march for an extended distance in remembrance of those who have fallen and those who are still serving."
From there, participants will complete a 5K walk and run that will lead into their attendance of the local police department's memorial services and candlelight ceremonies, Simmons said. This is important, he said, because he wants to show the local authorities that JBSA members support their mission as well.
"I feel (this week) is really important, because being a police officer is a very risky job," he said. "There are many people who have lost their lives. Our job is to protect the freedom of individuals, keep the safety of the communities and restore order and peace."
Police officers are faced with many tasks in their job that lend themselves to a great potential for harm.
"We're on the front lines," Senior Airman Celina Reyes, 902nd Security Forces Police Service, said. "We're the first to respond."
National Police Week is important because it's a time where those who risk their lives can be recognized and honored.
"As a civilian, if I wasn't a police officer, then I wouldn't understand why (we have this week)," Simmons said.
Knowing what the duties and responsibilities are when it comes time to respond to a call made Simmons respect those who put their lives in harm's way while conducting their duties more so than if he wasn't a police officer, he said.
"It's good to have a week where we are appreciated," Reyes said. "A lot of people usually look past it, so for us, it's nice that we are able to get with other police workers and come together to appreciate all that respect we have earned."