In 1962 President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. During this time law enforcement officers across the country pay tribute to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The largest of the events take place in Washington D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, however there are events that take place at the state and local levels across the nation.
A candle light vigil will be held in the Carnahan Memorial Garden in Jefferson City, on Friday, May 4th at 8:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service on Saturday, May 5th at 10:00 a.m. to honor those Missouri Officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Locally, we have a Lake Area Emergency Services Memorial located next to the Osage Beach Fire Protection District on Bluff Drive. This memorial honors lake area emergency responders who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Sadly, this year we will be adding Miller County Deputy Casey Shoemate to the memorial as well.
The City of Osage Beach has a wonderful group of trained and dedicated Officers, Dispatchers, Paramedics, EMT's and support staff who serve the citizens and visitors of Osage Beach. When you see them out in the public take a minute and thank them for their service or better yet, light Osage Beach up blue to honor them.