Press Release - Law Enforcement Memorial Day
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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009
CONTACT:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
Wil Alston, 303.866.6323, wil.alston@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER COMMEMORATES COLORADO LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL DAY
Gov. Bill Ritter today attended a ceremony at the State Patrol Academy at Camp George West in Golden to commemorate Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial Day.
The Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial service takes place each year on the first Friday in May -- an occasion where people across the state remember and honor fallen law enforcement officers from Colorado.
During the ceremony, the Governor laid a wreath at the base of the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial, which is the official state law enforcement memorial designated by the Colorado Legislature in 1998. The Governor also thanked the officers present for their service and commitment to protect the public, and presented a proclamation declaring May 1, 2009, Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial Day.
"It is my honor to lay a wreath at the foot of the Law Enforcement Memorial," said Gov. Ritter. "These brave men and women--and their families, deserve every ounce of gratitude we can give. They put their lives on the line to serve and protect us day in and day out; and for that, they will forever have our deepest respect and our eternal debt and gratitude."
This year, Pueblo Police Department Officer Nicholas K. Heine, Alexandar Brighton of the Trinidad Police Department, and Jesse B. Craig, Sr. and Jacob A. Kipper of the Rocky Ford Police Department will be added to the memorial.
Below is the text of the proclamation.
COLORADO LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL DAY
May 1, 2009
WHEREAS, each year, law enforcement officials are killed in the line of duty while protecting our homes, our highways, and our loved ones; and
WHEREAS, in May 1979, the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial was established; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, the Colorado State Legislature declared the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial -- located on the grounds of the Colorado State Patrol training academy at Camp George West -- to be the official memorial recognizing all Colorado law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, since 1979, the names of 223 Colorado law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice have been engraved on the Memorial; and
WHEREAS, this May, the names of four more law enforcement officers -- Pueblo Police Department Officer Nicholas K. Heine, Alexandar Brighton of the Trinidad Police Department, Jesse B. Craig, Sr. and Jacob A. Kipper of the Rocky Ford Police Department -- will be added to the memorial; and
WHEREAS, with respect and admiration, the Law Enforcement Memorial Committee has invited law enforcement officers from across the state, as well as the families and friends of fallen officers, to assemble at the Law Enforcement Memorial at 10 a.m. on May 1;
Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2009,
COLORADO LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL DAY
in the State of Colorado.
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this twenty-third day of April, 2009
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
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