(Seguin) – Law officers aren’t going unnoticed in Guadalupe County. The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office recently opened up its doors to observe the dedication and sacrifices of these men and women. Leading the charge at this year’s recognition and memorial ceremony was Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke.
Zwicke says the ceremony is held each year in observance of National Correctional Officer Week May 2 to 8 and National Law Enforcement Week May 9 to 15.
After forced to cancel last year’s ongoing tradition due to the pandemic, Sheriff Zwicke says he was honored to have everyone back so that they can be properly recognized and or remembered.
“It’s very important. We want to make sure that no officers or their families are ever forgotten. Last year, was an unusual year but the importance of once again remembering all those that made that ultimate sacrifice is very important,” said Zwicke.
Zwicke says the sheriff’s office claims every fallen officer no matter where they live. He says that’s because when you wear the badge, the brotherhood is like no other.
“All the officers across the nation, 295 and traditionally, we do the roster, the roll call of all our officers that we lost here in Texas,” said Zwicke.
During the ceremony, a list of those fallen officers in 2019 and 2020 were read one by one by Capt. John Koch and Capt. Jerry Rios.
Proclamations recently approved by the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court were also presented by Commissioners Drew Engelke and Michael Carpenter.
Carpenter shared the latest number of fallen officers to be added to this year’s national memorial.
“Whereas since the first recorded death of an officer in 1786, more than 22,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and have been killed in the line of duty. Whereas 394 names of fallen heroes are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year,” said Carpenter.
The medical staff and those who work in the Guadalupe County Jail were also recognized for their efforts each day. Zwicke says these individuals should especially be applauded for this past year when COVID-19 was added onto their already demanding list of duties.
Zwicke says unfortunately, the challenges of law enforcement continue to grow for all agencies across the country.
“Even when they need help, there are some areas in this nation that people just don’t understand. There’s a bigger picture out there of people and their differences between wanting help and law enforcement,” said Zwicke.
Zwicke says in the end, it’s law officers who sacrifice all that they have each and every day for our protection and for our safety.
He says, “without protection, we have no country.” He also asks that the public imagine America without law enforcement.