In Douglas, standing silent watch at the entrance to the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, are two slabs of black granite and, inscribed on those walls, are the names of 62 of Wyoming’s own, who have proven they were among the finest, bravest most selfless of Wyoming’s citizens; peace officers all, killed, in the line of duty.

I said that to say this—May 15th—is and has been for over 40 years, National Law Enforcement Memorial Day. The entire week of May 15th is National Law Enforcement Week. In 1962, backed by a resolution from Congress, President Kennedy proclaimed that this date would be a special day for Americans to honor and thank the police who had died for them in the line of duty across the country.

Did you even know this special date existed? Here is one more thing you should know: In one of the last executive orders of his administration, President Clinton, ordered all federal buildings to fly the flag at half mast on this date, opening up the protocol for local governments to do the same. Has yours? Will your community leaders order the flags flown at half-mast to honor your police?

During this time, try to imagine, realistically, your community without law enforcement. Imagine Casper, at Yellowstone and Poplar at rush hour, with everyone knowing there was no police to monitor and supervise traffic. Imagine Cheyenne, with no police as the closing hours on the final Sunday of Frontier Days see the bars close and hundreds of intoxicated partiers who don’t want to stop poor out onto Lincolnway to continue their party against the rule of law. No cops. None.

Imagine no one patrolling and arresting the thousands of intoxicated drivers every night on your streets in your town. No one cruising down your back ally at three in the morning protecting you as they scan for prowlers and other signs of crime afoot. Imagine your children without the vigilant eye of morning watch officers who keep an eye on them as they walk to school. Imagine crimes gone unsolved—no one to investigate and catch the people responsible.

Each year nationally, approximately 150 of the finest men and women in America die a violent death, as a result of their sworn position as a peace officer as one of a hundred different sworn professions at local, county, state and federal levels. Some, will die by traffic crash. Some being hit by vehicles, others by being shot, beaten, stabbed or otherwise feloniously attacked in service to you.

Peace officers take on a job you ask them to do for you because you do not want the responsibility or risk. They understand this. They do it for a paycheck laughable by Wyoming oilfield standards, with little more than enough for bare essentials for their families. They do it knowing it is a job very few want, fewer qualify for and even less remain at for any length of time. Few callings are more demanding both physically and emotionally and none other, requires a man or woman to wear a badge and uniform, stand out in the crowd and be a human target for aggression, insanity or rage.

Enough said my friends. Please do me a favor and honor my brothers and sisters in any way you can. Walk up and say thank you. But them lunch. Wave. Introduce yourself or your kids to a friend you never knew you had.
It’s the week of May 15th. Please remember all they do.