Wyoming Office of the Governor - Dave Freudenthal

WYOMING LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL WEEK and
WYOMING LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL DAY

    WHEREAS, Law Enforcement Officers are the guardians of life and property, defenders of the individual right to be free, warriors in the war against crime, and dedicated to the preservation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

    WHEREAS, a total of 1,671 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 53 hours or 167 per year.  There were 191 law enforcement officers killed in 2007; and

    WHEREAS, Wyoming’s Peace Officers’ Memorial is located on the grounds of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy.  The Academy, located in Douglas, is charged with providing training and education to all persons seeking professional law enforcement certification, and as such, is an appropriate backdrop for this enduring tribute to those people who have given their lives to protect and serve the citizens of Wyoming; and

    WHEREAS, the memorial was erected on August 6, 1986, and is funded through contributions from Law Enforcement Associations across Wyoming.  Each year, during The National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial week, officers gather to pay their respects, remember their fallen comrades, and perform the somber duty of adding names when required.  The memorial stone currently bears the names of 606 men, ranging in age from 22 to 62, representing municipal, county, state, and federal agencies.  All died in the line of duty in Wyoming since 1878.

    NOW THEREFORE, I, DAVE FREUDENTHAL, Governor of the State of Wyoming, do hereby proclaim May 11-17, 2008 to be


in Wyoming, and call upon all Wyoming citizens to show their deep respect and appreciation to the men and women who willingly risk their lives to protect ours.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Executive Seal of the Governor of Wyoming to be affixed this 22nd day April, 2008.