MARSHALL — Representatives from law enforcement companies throughout East Texas took half Wednesday in Harrison County’s annual Law Enforcement Memorial in Marshall.
The occasion is held yearly in honor of Texas law enforcement officers who misplaced their lives previously yr within the line of responsibility in addition to to coincide with National Police Week.
Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth thanked all the law enforcement companies and neighborhood members in attendance.
“Since the first recorded death in 1791, there has been over 22,000 law enforcement deaths in the United States,” he stated in the course of the ceremony.
Carruth stated that, previously yr, the United States has added an extra 619 law enforcement deaths to the depend. In 2022, Texas had 9 line of responsibility deaths, with one other 14 officers dying from COVID-19. In 2021, the state had 12 line of responsibility deaths, with an extra 106 deaths due to COVID-19.
“Sadly we have had to check those number daily, because those numbers seem to be climbing here in Texas and throughout the country,” he stated. “I am proud to have served for 32 years in law enforcement, and since that time, I have seen numerous officers who have fallen in the line of duty.”
The names of all the 2021 and 2022 line of responsibility deaths had been learn aloud in the course of the occasion, with officers from departments throughout Harrison County studying the names earlier than presenting and saluting Texas flags of their honor.
During the occasion, neighborhood members additionally heard from Harrison County Sheriff BJ Fletcher, who stated it was a day to consider the sacrifice made by officers yearly.
“The one thing that kept coming to my mind is the word sacrifice,” he stated, “Everyone who wears the badge, or has worn the badge, knows the sacrifices. I am going to ask when you leave here today, don’t just say ‘Well, it was nice.’ Remember these people, and more importantly remember their families.”
Carruth additionally mentioned the significance of the East Texas 100 membership, a nonprofit group that gives funds to the households of law enforcement officers who die within the line of responsibility.
The group has fundraising occasions within the coming week for National Police Week, which kicks off May 15. More information on the East Texas 100 Club may be discovered at www.easttexas100club.org .
“These officers, they run into the danger, they run into the shooting, they run into the chaos to protect the community,” Carruth stated.