TOP STORY>>Team Little Rock Honors National Police Week

By Airman 1st Class Scott Poe
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Little Rock Air Force Base, along with multiple police community partners, celebrated National Police Week May 12 – 15. The week included events to commemorate fallen military and civilian law enforcement officers and provided morale building activities for participants to enjoy.

May 15, 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated Peace Officers Memorial Day. National Police Week is held every year during the week of May 15 in conjunction with Peace Officers Memorial Day. The observance paid tribute to law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and showed appreciation for law enforcement official who have served and currently serve today.

“During deployments, we lost Airmen, including Staff Sgt. John Self,” said Staff Sgt. Gina Way a 19th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the visitor center. “As security forces, we are a tight-knit family, and losing a member of our family is hard for us, but we get this week to honor and remember those we lost.”

The 19th SFS hosted multiple events, including a static display with police vehicles from the local area and the North Little Rock Fire Department’s memorial fire truck. A golf tournament and wreath laying ceremony were also conducted to boost morale and memorialize the fallen heroes.

Many police departments from the local area showed off their vehicles during the static display May 13, including Ward, Austin, Cabot, Jacksonville, North Little Rock, Lonoke County Sheriff, Pulaski County Sheriff and more. Team Little Rock Airmen and their families, retirees and DOD cardholders with base access were invited to view the display.

“This week provided the opportunity to meet others who share a common brotherhood,” said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Erskine, a 19th SFS manager. “A brotherhood shared by military police officers, sheriffs, state troopers, local police and many other law enforcement entities.”

Despite the many risks a career in security forces may bring, there comes an even great reward: serving and protecting Little Rock AFB and the local community.