Jennifer Schorn: National Police Week: honoring service and sacrifice in Bucks County
National Police Week is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to honoring the men and women of law enforcement who have died in the line of duty. It’s a time for the nation, and particularly communities like those in Bucks County, to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and their families.
The week includes Peace Officers Memorial Day, observed every year on May 15.
Each year, National Police Week brings together law enforcement officers, survivors, and supporters from across the country and the world, including many from our own Bucks County communities. The week is filled with various events, ceremonies, and tributes, with local observances often echoing the national events in Washington, D.C. These events serve several important purposes, both nationally and here in Bucks County.
At the heart of National Police Week is the solemn remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The names of fallen officers are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and their stories are shared and read aloud during the annual Candlelight Vigil.
Here in Bucks County, we have our own traditions. For instance, the Bucks County Police Memorial Ceremony, held at St. Andrew RC Church in Newtown. This ceremony, organized by the Bucks County Police Memorial Committee, invites residents to join in honoring our fallen officers. You’ll see officers from departments across the county, deputy sheriffs, and state troopers participating.
These local ceremonies, like the national ones, provide a space for families, friends, and colleagues to grieve, remember, and find solace in a shared sense of loss. It’s a time for us to come together as a community and support one another.
National Police Week also provides an opportunity to recognize the service of those who continue to serve in law enforcement right here in Bucks County. It’s a time to acknowledge the challenges and dangers that our officers face daily, the sacrifices they make, and the dedication they demonstrate in protecting our communities – from Quakertown to Bensalem, from Doylestown to Levittown. Law enforcement officers often work long hours, face dangerous situations, and deal with the stress of witnessing human suffering.
National Police Week offers a chance for the public to express their appreciation for this service, strengthening the bonds between our communities and those who protect them.
Many communities across Bucks County will hold their own observances during National Police Week. These include local memorial services and other events that honor fallen officers and recognize the work of our local law enforcement agencies.
Kicking off National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day was the Thin Blue Line Memorial Flag Raising Ceremony held on May 12 in the courtyard of the Bucks County administration building in Doylestown. Other ceremonies in Bucks County are being held by Quakertown Borough Police, Bristol Township Police, Bensalem Township Police, and Middletown Township Police.
On May 19, Police Week in Bucks County concludes with the annual ceremony and mass to honor Bucks County officers who have paid the ultimate price at St. Andrew RC Church in Newtown.
It is with heavy hearts that we remember the 16 law enforcement officers from Bucks County who have died in the line of duty since 1898. Their names are etched in our county’s history, and their bravery will never be forgotten.
National Police Week is more than just a series of events; it’s a symbol of our respect for the law enforcement community. It is a reminder that the safety and security we often take for granted comes at a great cost. It is a time to honor the fallen, support their survivors, and express gratitude to those who continue to serve, protect and safeguard us in Bucks County.
Jennifer Schorn is Bucks County’s district attorney.
