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| Sometimes our correctional officers don't get the glory... |
| By seguingazette.com |
| Published: 05/12/2011 |
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GUADALUPE COUNTY - In a special service on Wednesday, the county took the time to honor Texas's fallen officers and the county's law enforcement and correctional officers. The event was in observance of National Corrections Officer Week - May 1-7 - and National Law Enforcement Officer Week - May 15-21 - and to serve as a memorial service for the officers who were killed in the line of duty. "It's important that we honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and service our country and to honor those who continue to serve us," said Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke. "We are here to honor them for their commitment." Filling the lobby of the sheriff's office were county officials, county correctional officers, sheriff's deputies and Seguin Police officers. The event kicked off with a welcome from Zwicke, who recognized all of the officials that attended. Following the invocation by Rev. Jeremy Roy, Guadalupe County Regional Medical Center director of pastoral care, Zwicke addressed the audience with praise for both the correctional officers and the law enforcement officers. "The demanding work of the correctional officer requires dedication and due diligence, qualities that our colleagues routinely display as they tackle the challenges of our community daily," he said. "I want to take the time to recognize the men and women of the Guadalupe County Correctional Facility. There isn't a day that goes by that these officers don't make a difference." In 1791, the United States saw its first law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, Zwicke said. Since then, over 19,000 more have seen the same fate. "In the United States there is some 900,000 law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others," he said. "Each year there is approximately 16,000 assaults on law enforcement officers and sadly over the last decade an average of 160 officers, each year, die in the line of duty." To honor the 20 officers from Texas law enforcement organizations that lost their life last year, Zwicke read each name and the day the officer died. After Zwicke finished reading off the names, County Judge Mike Wiggins read a proclamation for National Correctional Officer Week and National Law Enforcement Officer Week. "It is a never-ending job, but thank the good Lord that you are here so you can continue to go out there each and every day and continue to serve the community," he said. After the reading for the correctional officers, Wiggins praised them for their work. "Sometimes our correctional officers don't get the glory but the jobs that they do are so important and so essential that the overall function of the Sheriff's Department and the Police Department, without them we wouldn't be able to do their job," he said. "Even though they are not out in the limelight and many times their work goes unnoticed - it is noticed by us and it is appreciated." Wiggins also applauded all of the area's law enforcement officers. "There are no words to describe our appreciation," he said. "We are here today with many members of our community to show respect to those who made that ultimate sacrifice and to those who may have been injured in the line of duty and to those who serve the community on a daily basis protecting and preserving our lives and our property, and to thank you." The sheriff's deputies and Seguin police officers would have a difficult time doing their without the community's support, Zwicke said. "I appreciate the citizens of Guadalupe County standing behind law enforcement like they do. It makes our job a whole lot easier," he said. "I know that there are some parts of the country where law enforcement does not get the respect that it deserves. But here our citizens go overboard to help us, support us and back us in our jobs." Click here to read more: |
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