LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Police Department honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in the past year in the Commonwealth.
On Monday at 6:30 p.m., the police department held its annual Regional Police Memorial Service at Court Street United Methodist Church, located at 621 Court St.
“It’s a week that we recognize over 20,000 people across America since records have been kept and have given their lives to the community,” Lynchburg Chief of Police Ryan Zuidema said.
The service happened during National Police Week, a time in which police departments around the country remember the fallen and highlight the dangers that come with wearing a badge.
“Each day, law enforcement officers face unpredictable risks to protect our communities—whether responding to emergencies, confronting danger, or standing between us and harm," the department stated. “The badge carries with it not only a duty to serve, but also a willingness to risk it all to protect a life.”
Even after the end of the service and National Police Week, Chief Zuidema says that there are still ways the public can honor law enforcement.
“They can just stop a police officer or a deputy sheriff and just tell them thank you. That goes so far,” Chief Zuidema said. “People always want to know what they can do to support law enforcement, and a lot of times it’s something similar. It’s just stopping and telling them thank you for your service.”
Lynchburg Police said the service will serve as a time of reflection and will be an opportunity to commemorate and pay homage to fallen officers who exemplified bravery and selflessness.
