The Danville Police Department will hold a Peace Officers Memorial Day Service at 10 am, Friday, May 15, at 1 Community Way in memory of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Guest speaker Councilman Sherman Saunders will deliver remarks during the ceremony. Five officers and one deputy from Danville have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Department’s first line of duty loss occurred on Friday, Sept. 7, 1883. On that date, three-year department veteran Officer J.C. Parks died as a result of gunfire. Officer Parks tried to secure a man’s firearm which he had used to threaten his wife; the man fired the weapon which struck Parks. A struggle between the two ensued until others finally subdued the suspect.
During the service, a rose will be placed in memory of each person lost in the line of duty, and a bell rang in their honor.
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
This week, the Danville Police Department Honor Guard will assist in Washington, D.C. with the arrival of families of fallen officers who had their names inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.