SBPD to Hold National Peace Officers Memorial Day

Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

On May 15, 2018, at 8 A.M., the Santa Barbara Police Department will host a 30-minute ceremony, complete with honor guard and dignitaries, to honor all officers that have fallen in the line-of-duty. The event, on the footsteps in front of the police station (215 East Figueroa Street), coincides with National Peace Officer Memorial Day. The public is welcome.

Detective H. Thomas Guerry was the last Santa Barbara Police officer killed in the line of duty. Detective Guerry was shot and killed by a robbery suspect on January 13, 1970. He was 28 years old and had served the city for 8 years.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world will converge on Washington D.C. to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

A total of 1,511 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in the past ten years. There were 129 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2017. From January 1st to May 8th 2018, 51 officers have been killed in the line of duty nationwide.

Program includes:

Opening Statement/Welcome

Pledge of Allegiance-Honor Guard

Prayer-Santa Barbara Police Chaplain

Recognition of special guests

Chief’s Remarks on National Law Enforcement Memorial Week

Preliminary 2018 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities

January 1 through May 8, 2018 vs. January 1 through May 8, 2017

	2018	2017	% Change
Total Fatalities	51	47	+9%
Firearms-related	28	16	+75%
Traffic-related	16	19	-16%
Other	7	12	-42%
Please note: These numbers reflect total officer fatalities comparing January 1 through May 8, 2018 vs. January 1 through May 8, 2017 Source: National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund

Officer Guerry’s sacrifice and commitment to law enforcement is celebrated yearly when regional law enforcement agencies come together to bestow the “Thomas Guerry Award” for excellence and heroism in law enforcement. This year the SBPD recognizes two officers:

Officer Scott McBeth– Superior Performance

Officer McBeth was awarded, in summary, for his role in finding a community member lifeless, and using his CPR skills to resuscitate her.

Officer Josh Alvarez– Valor

Officer Alvarez was awarded, in summary, for risking his safety to physically rescue a suicidal subject attempting to jump from a bridge.

The awards ceremony will be May 23rd, 2018, at 1630 hours in the Board of Supervisor’s Hearing room (County admin building), located at 123 East Anapamu Street