FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sumter Police Department Observes National Police Week 2011
Events planned to honor fallen officers
Each year law enforcement officers around the country pause to honor fellow officers who have given their lives in the line of duty and to remember and support those family members forever affected by the loss of a loved one. This year National Police Week will be observed May 15-21. In addition to remembering fallen heroes, National Police Week is also an opportunity for citizens to show support for the men and women currently serving to protect the community.
The Sumter Police Department will participate in several events to commemorate National Police Week 2011, which officially runs May 15-21. This year the department has chosen Crosswell Children’s Home as its charity to support. Chief Patty Patterson, Deputy Chief Russell Roark and Major Alvin Holston will kick off the week’s events on May 16 at 6am, on top of the Broad Street Chick-Fil-A. The law enforcement leaders will maintain a rooftop vigil until they have collected $2000 in donations for the Children’s Home. Chick-Fil-A owner Scott Richardson has pledged 10% of the day’s total sales to show his support.
On May 17 at 8am, a prayer breakfast will be held at Shaw Air Force Base. Major Mark Walsh, Commander of Security Forces, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base will deliver the keynote address and Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson will present the wife of fallen officer Charles Nesbitt with a replica of the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial, on behalf of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Located in Washington, DC, the Memorial is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Tickets for the breakfast are $10 per person and may be purchased by contacting the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department at 436-2700.
Cpl. Dan Buck will represent the Sumter Police Department in the 2011 Police Unity Tour, a four day bike ride beginning in New Jersey and ending at the National Memorial in Washington, DC. The event, which is expected to raise over 1 million dollars, seeks to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and also raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.
This year’s observance will conclude with the 1st Annual Charles Nesbitt Memorial Blood Drive to be held at the Sumter Police Department on May 31. Community members can save a life by donating a unit of blood any time between 10am and 4pm. For additional information or to sign up to donate blood, contact Crime Prevention Coordinator Barron Hite at 436-2723 or bhite@sumter-sc.com
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