Base community to celebrate national police week Published May 6, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane 366th Fighter Wing Public Affair Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 366th Security Forces Squadron will join military and civilian law enforcement agencies across the country to honor the nation's police officers during National Police Week, which runs May 11 through 17. "The week is to honor personnel in law enforcement and pay tribute to those who gave their lives while serving their community," said Master Sgt. Tobby Slay, 366th SFS logistics branch chief. National Police Week debuted in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation devoting May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day with the rest of the week dedicated as National Police Week. Police officers held the first official memorial service May 15, 1982, when approximately 125 people gathered in Senate Park in Washington, D.C., to honor 91 law enforcement officers who had died in the line of duty. Since then, The National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service draws thousands each year nationwide with more than 3,000 officers honored over the past 24 years. "Every year, in the United States, 61,000 police officers are assaulted and on average, one officer is killed every 53 hours," wrote Col. Robert W. Tirevold, commander of the Headquarters Air Force Security Forces Center, in a police week memorandum. "In the last 10 years, 1,699 law enforcement personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty. Over 17,000 officers have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout our nation's history. "Our Security Forces have felt those losses well. Over the past ten years, 15 fellow Security Forces members have paid the ultimate sacrifice." This year's celebration includes: May 12: Starting at 5 a.m., blue ribbons will be handed out at the gate to commemorate police week and a 5 p.m. retreat ceremony will be held at Holt Park May 13: 3:30 p.m. five kilometer "Fun Run" at the base fitness center May 14: Noon to 5 p.m. weapons display at the base exchange May 15: 2 to 5 p.m. expeditionary combat skills training simulator open house at the 366th SFS Combat Arms off-base range, only open to base personnel May 16: 2 p.m. "Bulls Eye" pistol competition at the Combat Arms off-base range. Open to the first 100 shooters May 17: 9 a.m. Golf tournament open to the first 34 teams at Silver Sage Golf Course and an 11 a.m. parade through base housing. All of the following events will be held in the base exchange parking lot: noon to 3 p.m. bike rodeo; noon to 5 p.m. weapons display; driving under the influence simulator; and military working dog demonstrations at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m For more information, call Sergeant Slay at 828-4294.