NEWS RELEASE

 

REMEMBERING OUR HEROES

 

On May 15th, flags will be flown at half mast as we remember the one hundred fifty-five men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their community this past year. Some were dressed in blue, some  wore brown, while others wore green and some wore no uniform at all. These men and women were there to safeguard our rights and freedom and were willing to run towards danger while others ran away. They were there for us twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year.

 

Of course I am talking about the men and women of law enforcement and recognizing the week of May 14th as National Law Enforcement Memorial Week. It is our opportunity each year  to recognize and remember those who gave their lives for their community. The good news is that we in Oregon suffered no duty related deaths during 2005 however Clatsop County history shows three officers in our county have made that ultimate sacrifice. The most recent was in 1996 when Reserve Officer Robert B. McMaster lost his life after being involved in a fatal traffic accident responding to a silent alarm call. In 1898 Clatsop County Sheriff Jack W. Williams and Deputy James Lamar were shot and killed attempting arrest of a suspect. While we remember these officers and the others, let’s not forget to remember their families as well.

 

The week of May 14th is not only a time to remember these three Clatsop County officers, but the one hundred fifty-five who died in 2005, the one hundred fifty-seven other Oregon officers who have died over the years, and  the over 17,000 who have been killed in the line of duty since the first recorded death in 1792. Officers in Oregon and through out the nation will be wearing a single black band accross their badge and blue ribbons will be tied to their vehicle antennas to remember their fallen comrades. You too can take part by placing a blue ribbon to your vehicle antenna to remember and recognize the sacrifice of those officers.

 

As we remember those that made the untimate sacrifice, also remember those still out there every day and every night. Give them a wave or say thank you for being there. Let’s let them know we appreciate what they do and that they are making a difference.

 

Thank You

  

Chief Robert Gross

Seaside Police Department