22/05/13 13:09
ST. THOMAS Â- In observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day, a national recognition of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line [url=http://www.agoshow.net/Mets-5-David-Wright-Road-Cool-Base-Grey-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-76/]Mets 5 David Wright Road Cool Base Grey 2010 All Star Jerseys[/url] of duty, about 30 officers from the St. Thomas and St. John districts gave a 21-gun salute Wednesday to the territory\'s 15 fallen officers and lowered a wreath into St. Thomas Harbor.
The ceremony is part of National Police Week, May 12 to May 19, and gives officers a chance to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedom and lives of the rest of the community.
Such reflection is helpful, because to focus on the job, a police officer has to push all thoughts about being killed aside, said V.I. Police Sgt. Sherryann Hughes.
\"It is always in the back of your mind, but you don\'t harp on it because it would become a distraction,\" Hughes said, referring to the threat of getting killed in the line of duty. \"This just gives us a chance to go out and do our duties and not forget those who have given their life, to know [url=http://www.agoshow.net/Phillies-6-Ryan-Howard-Blue-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-53/]Phillies 6 Ryan Howard Blue 2010 All Star Jerseys[/url] that they are gone but not forgotten.\"
Flags flew at half-staff across the nation Wednesday, and thousands [url=http://www.agoshow.net/Twins-33-Justin-Morneau-red-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-54/]Twins 33 Justin Morneau red 2010 All Star Jerseys[/url] converged on the [url=http://www.agoshow.net/Phillies-26-Chase-Utley-Road-Cool-Base-Grey-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-84/]Phillies 26 Chase Utley Road Cool Base Grey 2010 All Star Jerseys[/url] National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.
St. Thomas Police Chief Darren Foy said the family of Officer Colvin Georges, who was shot while patrolling in the Contant area May 26 and died months later from his injuries, had travelled to Washington, D.C., to partake in the ceremonies there.
Georges\' name was recently added to the more than 19,000 entries on the wall commemorating those who have died in the line of duty.
Foy said Georges, who had graduated from the police academy in 2010, was one [url=http://www.agoshow.net/Reds-19-Votto-Navy-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-30/]Reds 19 Votto Navy 2010 All Star Jerseys[/url] of the force\'s finest, which made his death even more tragic.
\"I remember him as a young, energetic, aggressive officer who paid attention to detail and was eager to learn his craft,\" Foy said. \"I know he would have made one of our best officers.\"
Including Georges, the territory has lost 15 officers in the line of duty dating back to the 1965 death of Leroy Swan, whose motorcycle collided with a truck while he was on patrol. Of those officers, Foy said, at least seven lost their lives serving on St. Thomas.
Corporal Ludrick Thomas said he was remembering Georges and Ariel Frett, who was shot and killed in 2007, as well as a number of officers who had passed away from natural causes after retiring.
\"It\'s important for us to have this occasion to remember those that give their lives in support of all law enforcement efforts whether retired or active,\" Thomas said.
- Contact Amanda Norris at 714-9104 or email anorris@dailynews.vi.
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