05/13/2026
This week, we pause to recognize and honor the men and women who serve behind the badge during National Police Week.
National Police Week was established in 1962 when John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which it falls as National Police Week. It is a time set aside across our nation to remember the law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, while also recognizing those who continue to serve our communities every day.
Policing in a small town and a rural county is unique. Our deputies are not just responding to calls — they are neighbors, coaches, parents, mentors, and familiar faces at school events, community gatherings, and local businesses. They patrol hundreds of miles of roads, answer calls at all hours of the night, and often work in situations where backup may be many miles away.
Rural law enforcement requires resilience, compassion, patience, and a deep commitment to the people we serve. The challenges are real: long hours, difficult calls, missed holidays, time away from family, and the emotional weight that comes with helping people on some of their hardest days. Yet our deputies continue to show up — quietly, professionally, and with dedication to this county and its citizens.
During National Police Week, we want to acknowledge and thank every deputy, reserve, corrections officer, and law enforcement professional who serves our community. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and your commitment to protecting others matters more than words can express.
