May 10, 2023

At the regular meeting of the Allegany County Board of Legislators, Chairman W. Brooke Harris granted the privilege of the floor to Sheriff Cicirello to make remarks regarding upcoming Police Week and Peace Officer Memorial Day. Sheriff Cicirello was joined on the floor with Undersheriff Walt Mackney, Chairman Harris, and Public Safety Committee Chairman Steve Havey.

The following were the Sheriff’s remarks:

“With Police Officer week and Peace Officer Memorial Day upon us, I think it’s important to recognize those who protect and serve us and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while doing so.

In my near 30-year career as a police officer, I have worked with, knew, or was friends with six police officers that died in the line of duty.  Six – that’s roughly one every five years. These were all good men, husbands, fathers and partners. They put on their uniform, donned a bullet proof vest and gun belt, kissed their loved ones goodbye, and never came home. EVERY police officer knows that this can be their fate, but they go to work anyway.

I have heard the job of a law enforcement officer described as “hours upon hours of boredom, interrupted by moments of sheer terror” – that is so true.

Being a police officer is not easy. The suicide rate among police officers is the highest of any profession. Additionally, 70 percent of first-time marriages end in divorce if you are a law enforcement officer (LEO). Police officers also work nights, holidays, and during their children’s special events. These are not the kind of statistics you put on a recruiting poster. The cases that LEO’s investigate can be horrific – crimes against children, suicides, homicides, fatal car crashes…knocking on a door to tell a mother and father that their child will not be coming home. These are all daily occurrences for our officers. Not only is the job difficult, the emotional burden can also be difficult to carry.

So why do they do it? Most will say a sense of duty, to save lives, to serve their communities, to make a difference, and to make their community safer for their children. I don’t know why they all do it, but I can tell you, I am sure glad they do. 

So today, I would like to recognize and honor all members of Law Enforcement in Allegany County. We thank you, respect you, and have your back. To all those we have lost who made the ultimate sacrifice, we remember you, honor you, and we will make sure no one ever forgets you.”

Chairman Harris then read the attached proclamation designating Police Officer Week as May 15-21, 2023, and Peace Officer Memorial Day as May 15, 2023.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, by Presidential Executive Order and Resolution of the Congress, May 15 of each year is recognized as Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, honoring all law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, the week in which Peace Officer Memorial Day falls is celebrated as National Police Week, recognizing the important role that law enforcement officers play in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all citizens; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers perform an essential public service under difficult circumstances, especially today, in view of the COVID pandemic and the nation’s unrest; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of law enforcement officers are selfless public servants who accept as part of their profession being exposed to great danger in order to protect the life and property of others; and

WHEREAS, these dedicated officers deserve to be honored for their willingness to perform that essential public service on behalf of all our citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Allegany County Legislature wishes to acknowledge the difficult job we ask our Deputy Sheriffs and other police officers to perform and thank them for their willingness to do it; and

WHEREAS, the Allegany County Legislature desires to recognize and honor all those law enforcement officers who, over the years, have lost their lives in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, the Allegany County Legislature does hereby acknowledge and honor the service of our Deputy Sheriffs as well as all other police officers who have served and are serving in the County;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, W. Brooke Harris, Chairman of the Allegany County Board of Legislators, do hereby declare May 15, 2023, as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week of May 15 to 21, 2023, as Police Officer Week in Allegany County.