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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660
ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Kingsport Police Share Highlight Video from Law Enforcement Memorial Service | ||
| DATE: | May 17, 2016 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| The Kingsport Police Department would like to share a video, featuring highlights from a recent Law Enforcement Memorial and Dedication Service conducted at the Kingsport Police Department, in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week. The video was produced by Cumberland Marketing and has been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel via the following link:
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 National Police Week. Traditionally, the local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 conducts a Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Justice Center during National Police Week. The service this year was held on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 4:00 PM at the new Law Enforcement Memorial and Eternal Flame at the Kingsport Police Department on the corner of West Market and Clay Streets in Downtown Kingsport. Numerous family members, community leaders, and citizens joined law enforcement officers as we remembered and honored our local fallen officers, as well as all fallen officers throughout the nation. The Honorable Ray Conkin, Sullivan County General Sessions Court Judge, delivered the keynote address with the Kingsport Police Department Honor Guard conducting the ceremonial honors. The newly constructed Law Enforcement Memorial and Eternal Flame was officially unveiled and dedicated during the service. The following excerpt is shared from the website of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: “Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement. That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 150 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.” The following two inscriptions are found on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. “This Memorial is dedicated to all Law Enforcement Officers in the United States of America. Inscribed on these walls are the names of those men and women who died in the line of duty.” “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.” Links to the National Police Week website, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website, and the Officer Down Memorial Page are provided below: |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
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