2024 National Police Week Proclaimed in Effingham County

(Pictured: Deputy Eric Loy, Deputy/SRO Dustin Lustig, Board Chairman Josh Douthit, Sergeant John Cotton, Deputy/SRO Alex Ritz, K9 Deputy Dale)

Effingham County Board Chairman Josh Douthit signed a proclamation declaring the week of May 13-19 as National Police Week.

National Police Week honors the dedicated law enforcement officers of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office along with more than 800,000 other law enforcement officers serving communities across the United States.

Douthit, who serves as an Effingham city police officer, said law enforcement officers make the ultimate sacrifice and risk being killed in the line of duty on a daily basis. Fallen hero names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, and were honored with a Candlelight Vigil sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund on May 13.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day honoring all fallen officers and their families. This day continues to be honored with U.S. flags flown at half-staff.