CHAMBERSBURG – In honor of National Police Week, my office recognizes the service and sacrifice of the courageous law enforcement officers throughout Franklin County and across the United States.
Franklin County is fortunate to have law enforcement officers who go above and beyond to keep our communities safe to raise our families. These brave officers show up every day and do whatever it takes to preserve the safety and security of our beautiful county. They know there is potential danger at every traffic stop. They know there is potential danger at every home or business they respond to for assistance. They know there is potential danger when a warrant is being served. They know there is potential danger responding to the individual experiencing a mental health or drug and alcohol crisis. Despite the potential danger, they respond. When everyone else is running away, they run toward the danger, putting their health and even their lives on the line. As the chief law enforcement officer of Franklin County, I am honored to work with these brave men and women to keep Franklin County safe and a great place to raise a family. I encourage everyone to contact a law enforcement officer this week and let them know that they are appreciated by their community.
While this whole week is dedicated to honoring and appreciating our law enforcement community, on May 15 we observe Peace Officers Memorial Day across the United States to remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind. This year, the names of 282 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 282 officers include 118 officers who were killed during 2023, plus 164 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now. The names of all 282 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil to be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, at 8:00 pm EDT on May 13, 2024. For more information, go to https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil. I ask that you watch the candlelight vigil and remember these fallen heroes.
In 2023, there were 5 Pennsylvania law enforcement officers that were killed in the line of duty:
Justin Clark McIntire, Brackenridge Borough Police Department
Sean Leonard Sluganski, McKeesport Police Department
Jacques F. Rougeau, Jr., Pennsylvania State Police
Richard Carrero Mendez, Philadelphia Police Department
Christopher David Fitzgerald, Temple University Police Department
SAY THEIR NAMES. REMEMBER THEM. HONOR THEM. These heroes went to work and were killed in the line of duty so that you and I can live in peace and safety. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family members, friends, and fellow officers of these fallen heroes. They will not be forgotten!
