CAPE COD – Local Police agencies will be honoring National Police Memorial Week by wearing black and blue mourning bands over their badges as a tribute to the more than 20,000 Police Officers, including two Yarmouth Police Department officers-K9 Sergeant Sean M. Gannon who was killed in the line of duty on April 12, 2018 and Patrol Officer Bradford M. Erickson who was killed in the line of duty on December 1, 2000, who have given their lives in the service and protection of their fellow citizens.
Since 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls is National Police Week.
“On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 61 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 20,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER
Lord I ask for courage
Courage to face and
Conquer my own fears…
Courage to take me
Where others will not go…
I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others
And strength of spirit to lead others…
I ask for dedication
Dedication to my job, to do it well
Dedication to my community
To keep it safe…
Give me Lord, concern
For others who trust me
And compassion for those who need me…
And please Lord
Through it all
Be at my side.
Material from Yarmouth Police used in this report
