Sarasota police host annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service

The Sarasota Police Department hosted the 2022 Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Friday at Light of the World Church, 3809 Chapel Drive, Sarasota. The event is held annually during National Police Week (May 11-17).

Additional agencies joining the Sarasota Police Department included representatives from the city of Sarasota, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, North Port Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Venice Police Department, Sarasota County School Police, Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, State Attorney’s Office 12th Judicial Circuit, New College of Florida USF Sarasota-Manatee Police, Longboat Key Police Department, Sarasota County Public Safety Hospital District, and Sarasota County Emergency Services.

The annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service recognizes men and women who serve and protect local communities and honors law enforcement officers from Florida who were killed in the line of duty the previous year. In 2021, 61 officers died in the line of duty in Florida.

Similar memorial ceremonies are taking place across Florida and throughout the country during May. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week was established by a joint resolution of Congress.

Submitted by Genevieve Judge

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota police host annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service