Each May, citizens across the nation pause to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement officers during National Police Week- which runs through May 18. Peace Officers’ Memorial Day is Wednesday, May 15.
According to a news release from Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special tribute to those law-enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Ceremonies are held in Washington, D.C., and in communities across the country.
On Thursday, May 9, the Sedalia Sunrise and Noonday Optimist Clubs hosted their annual “Respect for Law Banquet,” which recognized city, county and state law enforcement; fire; E.M.S.; and emergency-management officers. Those honored included: Pettis County deputy Jimmy Moore; Corporal Doug Fessenden, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol; Mark Cherry, a Sedalia Police officer; Jamie Smoot, a fire fighter with the Sedalia Fire Department; Chris Iuchs, a fire fighter with the Pettis County Fire Department; Florian Hammer, of the Pettis County Ambulance District; and (posthumously) Carol Hall, of the Sedalia/Pettis County Emergency Management Agency.
At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, the Sedalia Police Department will hold its annual Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Ceremony in remembrance of officers nationwide who have been killed in the line of duty. The public is invited to attend the event at Sedalia Police Headquarters at 300 East 3rd Street.