CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
Proclamation
Recognizing National Police Week May 12-18, 2024
Whereas, our current Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which it falls as Police Week as the result of a joint resolution which was signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962; and
Whereas, as a nation, we rely on law enforcement officers to keep our neighborhoods safe, enforce our laws, and respond in times of crisis; and
Whereas, the members of the Sebastopol Police Department play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of our community and provide a vital public service; and Whereas, there are approximately 800,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the Sebastopol Police Department; and Whereas, some 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers are reported each year, resulting in approximately 18,000 plus injuries including 22 officers who were shot in the line of duty in California in 2023 and a record 378 officers nationally, a 60% increase from 2018 when 237 officers were shot; Whereas, since the first recorded line of duty death in 1786, over 24,067 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty, including 482 female officers; and Whereas, the names of these dedicated public servants for whom we should all be forever grateful are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.; Whereas, new names of the 136 fallen heroes, including the 7 in the State of California, who died in the line of duty in 2023, along with 164 officers names who died in the line of duty prior to 2023 will be added to that memorial wall this Spring;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, Mayor Diana Gardner Rich, on behalf of the entire City Council hereby proclaim the week of May 12 through 18, 2024, to be National Police Week in the City of Sebastopol, in honor of the men and women whose sacrifices, diligence, professionalism, and courageous deeds keep our city and citizens safe.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the Great Seal of the City of Sebastopol this 7th day of May 2024.
Diana Gardner Rich
Mayor, City of Sebastopol