National Police Week, which occurs this year between May 11 and 17, honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. It is a time to recognize and pay homage to the sacrifices made to keep communities safe and an opportunity to support the colleagues and families of officers who have given their lives.
Even more specifically, Thursday, May 15 is recognized this year as Peace Officers Memorial Day – a day on which law enforcement officers pause to remember their fallen colleagues and their families.
The Tyngsborough Police Department mourns and remembers two officers who gave their lives in the line of duty here.
Tyngsborough Police Chief Joseph A. Pelletier was just 31 years old when he was killed in the line of duty on June 10, 1926. Chief Pelletier was driving a police motorcycle when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle while responding to an illegal bootlegging call. To read more about Chief Pelletier, visit his page on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial website here.
Patrol Officer John P. Georges was 48 years old when he died on May 8, 2007 from complications caused by injuries he sustained while saving a life two years earlier. Officer Georges was a 20 year veteran of the Tyngsborough Police Department. To read more about Officer Georges, visit his page on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial website here.
“This week is not only a time to recognize the dedication and professionalism of those who wear the badge, more importantly, it’s a time to honor the memory of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Chief Woods. “Their sacrifices, and the sacrifices made by so many others across our nation, serve as a powerful reminder of the risks we accept in this profession, and the responsibility we share to honor their memory through our actions.”
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports that since the first recorded police death in 1786, there have been over 24,000 police officers killed in the line of duty. With over 800,000 law enforcement officers currently serving in the United States, there are plenty of people to thank for protecting our communities. During this week, please extend your appreciation to local police officers by thanking them for their duty, or show gratitude to those who lost their lives in service by attending a local memorial service.