EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California -- The 412th Security Forces Squadron observed National Police Week May 10-14 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Police Week is a time designated to remember and celebrate past and present civilian and military law enforcement officers, as well as the survivors of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties. The week is observed to ensure they are not forgotten. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.
“Preserving the rights and security of all citizens doesn’t change, it’s a challenge, not for the faint of heart, but for the courageous; it was in 1962, it is today, and it will continue to be,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Bincarousky, 412th Security Forces Squadron commander. “It’s not easy, it’s not glorious, it is integral to continually helping to make this country a more perfect union.”
To start the week, the 412th SFS hosted their annual Run/Ruck/Walk event on Monday. Defenders wore t-shirts commemorating the three Airmen they lost in 2020: Staff Sgt. Kylle White, Senior Airman Timo Timoteo, and Airman 1st Class Cory Jones.
On Tuesday, Defenders and their Office of Special Investigation (OSI) counterparts visited Bailey Elementary School. Students learned about the tools OSI agents use to solve crimes and also played with the Defenders’ cars’ lights, sirens and public address systems.
“These events are important to us because it brings us closer together in order to honor our fallen brothers and sisters,” said Tech. Sgt. Melinda Zutten, 412th SFS. “We are a small community of Federal Law Enforcement officers in an even smaller Air Force. Having events open to the public allows us to educate about our job and lets the community learn who we are.”
To close out the week, 412th SFS members held a Peace Officer’s Memorial Ceremony. The memorial ceremony honored fallen Defenders and police officers. The SFS commander also took the time to thank his Defenders for their service and reminded them of the charge placed upon their shoulders.
“Lives are messy, so helping lives is messy, and you are the ones who have decided to roll up your sleeves and get dirty for your fellow man,” Bincarousky said.