Spangdahlem recognizes National Police Week

Published April 27, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Brittney Frees
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- National Police Week began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day and the week of May 15 as National Police Week.

According to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement members who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

Spangdahlem will honor National Police Week by hosting events on base. The following events will take place in honor of National Police Week:

The 52nd Security Forces Squadron Jail n' Bail will start at 8 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. May 16. The Jail n' Bail will take place all around the base as off-duty security forces Airmen "respond" to offices and "apprehend" people who will be taken to a "jail" located on the third floor of Bldg. 127. Anyone can pay to have someone "apprehended" or pay to post "bail." All proceeds go to the Defender Association and the Security Forces Museum at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The Memorial Rucksack March will begin at 9 a.m. May 17 behind the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center. All participants will be in groups of nine people and will march a course around the base. This is in honor of the nine U.S. Air Force security forces members who have been killed since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The event is open to anyone who would like to participate.

The Defender Decathlon will start at 9 a.m. May 19 at the security forces mobility/vehicle section in Bldg. 772. This competition consists of 10 events with four-person teams. Additional events will take place on the running trail on the south side of base and at the combat arms small arms range.

The security forces retreat ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. May 20 in front of the 52nd Fighter Wing Headquarters.

For more information regarding the National Police Week events, call DSN 452-6717.

Honoring the fallen