On Sunday, the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department began wearing badges honoring the officers it has lost in the line of duty.
The badges will be worn as part of National Police Week, which runs from May 15 to May 21.
Below is a press release about the badges:
Beginning today, you may see some of our officers wearing these badges. These badges are worn in the month of May in remembrance of our fallen officers. On the back of this badge you will find the names of our 18 fallen officers:
Police Officer III Noah Leotta Police Officer III William D. Talbert Sergeant Hector Ayala Police Officer III Luke T. Hoffman Captain Joseph Aloysius Mattingly, Jr. Police Officer III James E. Walch Police Officer III Mark Filer Police Officer III Philip Carl Metz Corporal John M. Frontczak Captain James E. Daly, Jr. Private William Patrick Conboy, Jr. Detective Lieutenant Donald A. Robertson Detective Lieutenant William H. Jessie Private Robert L. McAllister Private David G. Bisset Patrolman James E. Shoemaker Patrolman Webb S. Hersperger Patrolman Joseph Asbury Case
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. During Police Week, law enforcement officers and survivors from around the world come to Washington, DC to participate in events that honor fallen officers.
Over the years, additional events of remembrance have been established in the Month of May to honor public safety personnel that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
