In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.  The Americus Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff Office and the Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department are sponsoring a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony in front of the Russell Thomas Public Safety Building, 199 S Lee Street, on May 15th at noon.  The guest speaker this year will be Representative Marc Morris (House District 26) of Cumming, Georgia.  He is a direct descendant of Officer William R. Morris, the first police officer killed in the line of duty in Americus.

 

Each local law enforcement agency will place a wreath in front of the Public Safety Building and the names of those officers killed in the line of duty in Americus and Sumter County will be read.  Family members of the fallen officers are invited to place a carnation on the agency wreath as each name is read to commemorate their loved one.