Kootenai County, ID: May 10 through 16 is National Law Enforcement Memorial Week. This is the time when we remember those law enforcement officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in service to their communities. On Tuesday, the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners will formally recognize this week through proclamation. Publicly, thanking all of those who serve.
Last week was National Corrections Week, but Corrections is unique to prisons and we believe that our front line people in our jail and in the more than 3,000 jails across this country are truly included in our National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
In 2019, 146 officers from City, County, State and Federal law enforcement agencies gave their life while doing their job. Gunfire remains the number one cause of death, followed by 9-11 related illnesses and automobile crashes. We were fortunate in Idaho last year since we did not lose one officer. Unfortunately, our neighbors in both Washington and Montana lost officers.
This time in our lives is unprecedented and we are all feeling a little extra stress. Our first responders, often going into the unknown, now with the Corona Virus have one more thing to try to protect themselves from as they respond to calls and deal with inmates in our jails. It isn’t often that both patrol and detention officers get thanked, but this is a great time to do just that. Just knowing that the vast majority of people appreciate the professional job that they do each day means a great deal to all of them.
To all of the men and women in law enforcement, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart.
Ben Wolfinger, Sheriff
Kootenai County, Idaho