SE Illinois News

Illinois State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R) honored America's fallen police officers in a Facebook post published on Monday.

"Today we pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty," Windhorst wrote. "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thank you to all who serve!"

Windhorst is a Metropolis resident who was first elected to represent the 117th District in the State House of Representatives in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the Restorative Justice Committee and the Judiciary-Criminal Committee.

While National Peace Officers Memorial Day is celebrated May 15, in Illinois, a memorial service was held on May 4 in Springfield, with more than a dozen names added to the memorial list.

National Police Week originated in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the associated week as Police Week. The national Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering of approximately 120 law enforcement officials and supporters in Senate Park. Decades later, the event, commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to involve multiple events attracting thousands of law enforcement officials and survivors to Washington, D.C., each year.

On Friday, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation regarding Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week.

"As a Nation, we expect a lot from our law enforcement officers," Biden said. "They save lives by keeping our roads, subways, and highways safe and responding to domestic violence incidents and natural disasters.  We ask them to ensure public safety, build trust within our neighborhoods, and protect the well-being of our communities.  Too often, they are also called upon to respond to mass shootings, drug overdoses, mental health crises, and more.  Being a law enforcement officer is not just what they do; it is who they are. The same is true for their families, who sacrifice alongside these heroic Americans.  It takes a special person to marry or be the child of a law enforcement officer — knowing the uncertainty as their loved one walks out the door and dreading the possibility of receiving that phone call. No memorial can ever fill the void left in the hearts of those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.  But their sacrifices in full service to their communities and to our Nation will never be forgotten.  We will continue to honor their memories with actions that help keep our law enforcement officers and communities safe from harm."

 "At the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., there is a quote engraved on the wall that reads, 'It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived'," Biden continued. "Today, during this week, and year-round, we express our gratitude for the courageous women and men of our Nation’s law enforcement community.  We honor the memory of the members who made the ultimate sacrifice and pray for their families.  And we recommit ourselves to the sacred task of creating a safer and more just Nation for all Americans."