JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- At the beginning of National Police Week, a 24-hour memorial run took place at the outdoor track to honors all police forces, both civilian and military, who have perished.
“To all of the families of fallen officers, our whole country is praying for you, embracing you, pledging to you that we will never leave your side,” said President Donald Trump during the 38th Annual National Peace Officer Memorial Service hosted in Washington D.C. “Your loved ones were extraordinary and selfless Americans who gave everything they had in defense of our community, our children, and our nation.”
The 673d Security Forces Squadron hosted various demonstrations at the Joint Military Mall parking lot. There were also weapons display, a K-9 demonstration, and many police vehicles from agencies such as the Anchorage Police Department, Alaska State Troopers and SFS.
Police Week also featured a shooting competition of M9 pistol and M16A2 rifle, open to all military police and base personnel to showcase their marksmanship skills at the Combat Arms Training Facility.
In addition to a friendly competition, the SFS also hosted a “Defender for a Day.” This day let spouses have the firsthand experience of many different aspects of security forces life, from a tour of the combat arms range, to showcasing multiple weapon systems, to going through interactive learning scenarios with the same gear that is issued to the defenders.
To commemorate the end of Police Week, SFS conducted a flight formation with a rifle salute.
Since 1962, the annual observance has paid respect to law enforcement personnel who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.