The Green Bay Police Department holds a ceremony to honor officers killed in the line of duty on National Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — City officials and community members joined the Green Bay Police Department on Wednesday to honor officers killed in the line of duty.
The ceremony was held on May 15, designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962 by then-President John F. Kennedy. It coincides with National Police Week, which runs every year from May 12 to May 18.
GBPD said this ceremony serves as a way to recognize Wisconsin law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“I think it’s really important to remember those people who were willing to stand in that gap and who were willing to put their own lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Chief Chris Davis. “That is a special kind of person, who’s willing to go out and do that every day, knowing those risks.”
Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich and Police and Fire Commission President Rod Goldhahn also spoke during the ceremony. It included a presentation of colors by the GBPD Honor Guard.
“The work that our police officers do in the city of Green Bay is so deserving of our thanks and our appreciation,” Genrich said. “This is a great opportunity for us to come together and to recognize all of the fantastic work that’s done on behalf of the citizens of Green Bay.”
“We also think about and dedicate ourselves to doing whatever we can, especially those in elected office, to make sure that all of our officers come home to their families each and every night,” Genrich added.
Davis said that although policing can be a dangerous profession, it’s also very rewarding.
“It really is a lot of opportunities to help other people. Yes, there’s always that risk that you take and you live in this world all the time of that unknown risk, but in the process, you get the opportunity to do a lot of really good things and make a really positive impact on other people,” Davis said.
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