GREENVILLE – National Police Week takes place May 12, 2024, through May 18th, 2024 this year.
National Police Week celebrates and pays tribute to honor anyone in the law enforcement career field. This week also includes recognition of fallen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“It’s more for the officers that lost their life in the line of duty,” explained Lt. Ryan Benge. “That’s how active officers see it. We look at it more as a time of memorial for officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Lt. Benge shared that the Greenville Police Department encourages community members to light up the blue during National Police Week. Lighting up the blue can be anything blue, house lights or even sporting blue attire throughout the week. It’s one way to show appreciation and pay tribute to all active and fallen officers.
“Little things like that go a long way,” said Benge.
Lt. Benge expressed his appreciation and thanks to all Greenville community members. He said the community has always shown support, but many have gone out of their way to express their thanks this week.
“Businesses and citizens who see us out on the street who say thank you. It goes a long way for us, and it happens all the time. We are really lucky here in Greenville,” said Benge.
Back the Blue Memorial Ceremony is an event that will be held this weekend, May 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., located at the Darke County Fairgrounds in the Coliseum.
“The committee has several community members including one of our officers,” said Benge. “We always try to get out there on Saturday night and show our support. It’s very touching.”
Lt. Benge also shared that last year they had the opportunity to hear from a fallen officer’s family and an officer who was severely injured in the line of duty and how he overcame that turmoil.
This event is free to the public. The event is a way to help honor the fallen officers from 2023. There will be performances by Will Dempsey and Shanna Jackman.
“We appreciate the community’s support; as I said, we are very lucky here in Greenville,” concluded Benge. “It is a great community, and we are lucky to have the citizen support that we do.”
