9th SFS, OSI honor fallen officers

A 9th Security Forces Squadron color guard presents the Air Force and American flags during a National Police Week memorial ceremony May 18, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. In 1962, President John Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls on as National Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

9th SFS, OSI honor fallen officers

Maj. Ryan Barton, 9th Security Forces Squadron commander, speaks during a National Police Week memorial ceremony May 18, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. In 1962, President John Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls on as National Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

9th SFS, OSI honor fallen officers

A team of 9th Security Forces Squadron defenders flip a tire during a fallen heroes’ challenge May 16, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The challenge is a part of the 9th SFS National Police Week efforts to honor fallen law enforcement officers. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

9th SFS, OSI honor fallen officers

A Yuba County Sheriff's Department SWAT team enters a house during a fallen heroes’ challenge May 16, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The challenge is a part of the 9th SFS National Police Week efforts to honor fallen law enforcement officers. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

9th SFS, OSI honor fallen officers

A team of 9th Security Forces Squadron defenders perform the first leg of a 24-hour ruck march during National Police Week May 17, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The team carried a dog tag for each member of law enforcement who has fallen in the last year and all 14 security forces members who have died in the line of duty since 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

9th SFS, OSI honor fallen officers

Published May 18, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

The 9th Security Forces Squadron held a series of events honoring National Police Week, May 14-18.

In 1962, President John Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls on as National Police Week.

“The overall goal of police week is to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Delvaux, 9th SFS flight chief. “We also want to show the public more of what we do.”

In order to accomplish this, the 9th SFS put on a static display of law enforcement equipment, held a fallen heroes’ challenge obstacle course, a 24-hour ruck march, and a concluding memorial ceremony.

The ruck march went on the entire day right up until the beginning of the memorial ceremony and, according to 2nd Lt. Victoria Tanner, 9th SFS flight commander, it holds special significance.

“The 24-hour ruck shows everyone we are carrying on even when some people can’t,” Tanner said. “We are going to carry a dog tag for each member of law enforcement who has fallen in the last year and all 14 security forces members who have died in the line of duty since 2001.”

The memorial ceremony took place at Heritage Park and was attended by on- and off-base law enforcement agencies.

“The memorial ceremony is to commemorate fallen security forces and Air Force Office of Special Investigations members,” said Delvaux. “There was a 21-gun salute, a color guard, and flag folding.”

The symbolism behind the memorial ceremony and the week in general is not lost on the members of the 9th SFS.

“I think it is important to honor fallen officers because we all put our lives on the line every day to keep everyone else safe,” Tanner said. “I’ve always wanted to be in law enforcement so this week is about me being able to pay my respects to everyone who has come before me and everyone who will come after me.”