by MALLORY CARVER//Feature Editor
Today, police officers are often the most under-appreciated members of society.
In 2015 alone,128 police officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States. Of those 128 men and women, 12 of them were serving in Texas.
People sometimes forget about the men and women with badges who risk their lives every day, maintain order, deliver justice and protect innocent lives from danger.
In honor of their sacrifices, South Plains College Law Enforcement Department will hold the annual Peace Officer Memorial.
The Peace Officer Memorial will be held on May 4. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., and will be held on the front lawn of SPC, according to Scott. At the ceremony, people will gather to honor and remember these heroes.
Dr. Lance Scott, instructor of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement technology, has been organizing the ceremony.
“The purpose of the memorial ceremony is to honor those fallen peace officers,” says Scott, “especially those in the state of Texas.”
At the memorial, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and City of Lubbock Fire Marshal’s Office Pipes and Drum Corps will also be a part of the ceremony. The keynote speaker for the ceremony is Ray Scifres, the Sheriff-Elect of Hockley County.
This observance day came about when Congress asked the president to make an official day of memorial for U.S. peace officers. Peace Officer Memorial Day is an observance that is held on May 15. President John F. Kennedy signed the day into existence on Oct. 1, 1962.
As people gather, the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be heavy on their hearts and minds.
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