Staff Report

The Northern Illinois Police Memorial Week Committee cordially invites you to the 32nd Annual Police Memorial events.

This committee was established 32 years ago, five years before the creation of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Vigil Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The committee consists of current active and retired law enforcement officers. The committee hosts these events and recognizes fallen officers within Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, DeKalb, Stephenson and McHenry counties.

The Northern Illinois Police Memorial Week includes four days of events to show support and appreciation to the local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, and most importantly, honoring those law enforcement officers who have given the “ultimate sacrifice.”

Events are as follows:

1) Law Enforcement Memorial Service. This service was open not only to law enforcement officers but to the general public. This year’s Memorial Service was held May 12 at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. It was conducted through the Winnebago County Sheriff’s, the Rockford Police Department, and the Roscoe Police Department Chaplains divisions.

2) 32nd Annual Northern Illinois Police Memorial Breakfast and Service. This year’s events will host 31 different law enforcement agencies, representing 300 attendees, throughout the six counties. This year, the Multi-Jurisdictional Honor Guard has representation from 15 different law enforcement agencies, with a total of 26 Honor Guard members. The Honor Guard will conduct a full Law Enforcement Memorial Service, in remembrance to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. During this event, the roll call (reading of the names) of fallen officers occurs.

Guest speaker will be Father William Wentik (retired head of the Rockford City Police Department Chaplain’s Bureau).

The Memorial Breakfast is by special invitation only and not open to the public. But everyone is invited to the Memorial Service.

3) The 3-Day Annual Law Enforcement Displays. This year, 21 different agencies will display at CherryVale Mall. The displays consist of law enforcement officers or representatives from their agencies, squad cars, informational fliers and interactive displays. This year’s events will host Chief’s Day and K-9 demonstrations.

Schedule of Events for Northern Illinois Police Memorial Week

Thursday, May 17 — St. Bernadette Church, 2330 Bell Ave., Rockford: 7 p.m. Police Memorial Church Service, with refreshments to follow.

Friday, May 18 — Tebala Shrine Temple, 7910 Newburg Road, Cherry Valley. 7:30 a.m. Kick-off Breakfast: Registration. 8 a.m. Breakfast, followed by Full Honors Police Memorial Recognition Ceremony; Guest Speaker Father William Wentik

CherryVale Mall: 10 a.m. Display agencies move to CherryVale Mall

All day ISP spot check for child safety seat — go to ISP booth to request a spot check

7 p.m. — K-9 demonstration — Rochelle Police Department

9 p.m. — Mall closing

Saturday, May 19 — CherryVale Mall

10 a.m. — Display openings

All-day ISP spot check for child safety seat — go to ISP booth to request a spot check

11 a.m. — K-9 demonstration — Boone County Sheriff’s Department

3 p.m. — K-9 demonstration — Belvidere Police Department

5:30 p.m. — K-9 demonstration — DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department

9 p.m. — Mall closing

Sunday, May 20 – 11 a.m. Display openings

All day ISP spot check for child safety seat — go to ISP booth to request a spot check

1-3 p.m. — Chief’s Day — Interact with Chiefs of Police at Mall

1 p.m. — K-9 demonstrations — U.S. Customs & Border Protection

2:30 p.m. — K-9 demonstration — Rockford Police Department

4 p.m. — K-9 demonstration — Rockford Police Department

6 p.m. ­— Mall closing

From the May 16-22, 2012, issue