Cherokee County Law Enforcement Honor Fallen Officers

Murphy, NC— In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.Although Murphy North Carolina may seem millions of miles away from all the hurry and scurry of Metro DC, local law enforcement officers gathered during this special week and participated in a ceremony to honor fallen officers. The ceremony, jointly organized by the Crawford/Carringer Lodge of the FOP and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, was held at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office/Detention Center located at 577 Regal Street.

Officers and employees of local law enforcement agencies gathered around the flagpole in front of the Detention Center to remember fallen heroes. Several of the officers read off 126 officers names who had died during 2014. Additionally the names of the 5 officers from Cherokee County who died during their service were read aloud to remember them as well. Following the reading of the names a quiet time was observed and closed with prayer for those who have gone on before as well as for safety and continued success for those who work today.

The number of police officers killed in the line of duty increased in 2014, a report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund finds. In total, 126 officers were killed in 2014. That’s a 24 percent increase from 2013, when 102 officers were killed. According to the report, the number of police officers killed by firearms also rose by 56 percent — from 32 in 2013 to 50 in 2014.

As of May 21, 2015, the number of line of duty deaths was 47. A quote from the Officer Down Memorial Page reads: “When a police officer is killed, it’s not an agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation.” -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder.

Sheriff Palmer asks “Please remember each and every officer, dispatcher, staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. We are in a fight and one of the best tools available is the prayers of our citizens