Take time to honor National Police Week

Above are the two police cars -- complete now with Bullard logos -- donated ealier this year to the Bullard Police Department.

While no official local activities are planned, police administrative assistant Mary Dautreuil said she hoped everyone would take a time next week to recognize local officers on National Police Week.

The week of May 13-19 is when the period is recognized this year.

May 15 has been National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been National Police Week (sometimes know as Police Memorial Week) since President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on Oct. 1, 1962.

Washington, D.C. activities during National Police Week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and COPS' National Police Survivors' seminars as well as the National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service.

The 103rd Congress amended Public Law 87-726, signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322, which directs that the flag of the United States on all government buildings be displayed at half-staff on May 15, National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

"Today, National Police Week is a solemn period each year where every officer should reflect on those who have fallen. Police Week is more than just 'our profession's' secretary's day," according to the National Fraternal Order of Police (NFOP).

Representatives of the NFOP said, "It should be celebrated in every stationhouse throughout the country. Muster rooms should be adorned with decor reminding every officer of the week's meaning. Every shift briefing should include a bullet on the week. Prayers and moments of silence should be held in unison throughout the country.

"National Police Week is ours. It is up to us to make it mean something."

Earlier this year, two Bullard donors - who asked to remain anonymous - gave the city two police cars, which they acquired in Shreveport.

Bullard Police Chief Gary Don Lewis said the cars are already outfitted - except for radios, and he's excited about the donors' generosity.

"One donor has a friend with the Shreveport Police Department," Lewis said. "The department was cycling out some of their cars with higher mileage, and he expressed an interest in buying them."

The cars were already outfitted with some very expensive equipment, which made the donation even more valuable, Lewis said.

"They already have light bars, cages, and mobile vision cameras," Lewis said. "That equipment alone is pricey."

Lewis said the generosity of these men - while unexpected - isn't surprising having been in Bullard so long.

"People here are generous," he said. "And these guys want absolutely nothing in return.

"That's why Bullard is such a great place."

But Dautreuil asks that everyone take time to remember.

She asked The Bullard Banner News to print the following e-mail, author unknown.

"A Cop On The Take"

First he takes ... the oath.

Now look at what else he takes:

He takes ... it in stride when people call him pig.

He takes ... his lousy paycheck realizing he'll never be rich.

He takes ... a second job some times to make ends meet and support his family.

He takes ... time to stop and talk to children.

He takes ... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.

He takes ... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.

He takes ... time away from his family to keep you safe.

He takes ... your injured child to the hospital.

He takes ... the graveyard shift without complaint because it`s his turn.

He takes ... his life into his hands daily.

He takes ... you home when your car breaks down.

He takes ... time to explain why both your headlights have to work.

He takes ... the job no one else wants--telling you a loved one has died.

He takes ... criminals to jail.

He takes... in sights that would make you cry.

Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.

He takes... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.

He takes... time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his

child is in and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.

Sometimes, he takes a bullet.

And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.

If he is lucky, he takes retirement.

Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes him.