National Police Week kicks off with K-9 ceremony Sunday
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - National Police Week is officially underway the nation’s capital.
It kicked off Sunday with the annual National Police K-9 Memorial Service at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington.
Organized by the National Police Dog Foundation, the ceremony honors police dogs who died in the line of duty last year. Their handlers lay down a rose at the memorial in their honor.
Special Agent Cole Powell with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division K-9 Tracking Team lost his dog June 11, 2024. He said police K-9s are often overlooked, but they’re critical to keeping officers, and the public, safe.
“Police dogs are often referred to as tools and just another dog and stuff like that, but, to me, we have to honor them, and we have to give them the respect they deserve because people don’t see day in and day out the evil that they face,” Powell said.
National Police Week continues through May 17 with events throughout the week including the annual candlelight vigil honoring fallen officers Tuesday night.
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