Sixty-nine law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of South Dakota were remembered in Pierre Wednesday. This is Law Enforcement Memorial Week where South Dakota remembers those officers who have died in the line of duty.
The memorial events started with a wreath laying ceremony on the Law Enforcement Memorial at Capitol Lake in Pierre. Following that a motorcade of law enforcement vehicles from across the state that went to the Madison Avenue Church of Christ, where the memorial ceremony was held.
Pierre Police Chief Dave Panzer opened the event and welcomed everyone to Pierre.
The event’s featured speaker was South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard. He says that the state’s prayer is that no other names will be added to the list of those officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice…
He adds that this ceremony is just a small gesture in comparison to what those sixty-nine law officers did for us…
He also adds our existence in South Dakota would not be possible without law enforcement…
The families of fallen Turner County Deputy Chad Mechels and South Dakota State Correctional Officer Ronald Johnson were in attendance at the event.
Daugaard also encourages all South Dakotans to go up and thank an officer for all that they do to keep us safe every day of the year.
(KCCR)