Malcom Randall VAMC holds Wreath Laying Ceremony in Honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Gainesville, Fla. – The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System held a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Malcom Randall VAMC on May 15, 2024, as part of Police Week events to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and to honor those who continue to serve.
“We’re here to give tribute to those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and those that are still serving,” said James Bishop, Chief of Police for the NF/SG Veterans Health System. “This year, law enforcement has already suffered 58 line of duty deaths. Our hearts go out to the agencies who lost officers and my hope is we never experience that here. Even though our officers know they could lose their lives in the line of duty, they still come to work every day.”
The observance of National Police Week began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.
“We all know that police officers face difficult challenges every day, but today we have the opportunity to honor the memory and the valor of those officers that have paid that ultimate sacrifice,” said Bishop.
National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day take place annually, during which time many pause to honor the dedication, courage, and sacrifices of law enforcement officers across the nation.
“One of the things that is really special about our VA police is that most of our [NF/SG] VA police officers are Veterans themselves,” said Wende Dottor, Executive Health System Director for the NF/SG Veterans Health System. “One of the things that is even more special about the duty that our [NF/SG] VA police officers perform every day is the attitude of taking care of the whole person.”
Recognizing National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day serves as an opportunity for us as a nation to express our collective gratitude, offer support to the families of fallen officers, and acknowledge the enduring spirit of all those who serve with honor.
“I want us all to take this opportunity to recognize them, not just for their duty, not just to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, but also to pay tribute to those who serve with that noble intention,” said Dottor.
For more information on the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, please visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/locations/malcom-randall-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center/.