National Police Week - Thanks to Those Who Keep Us Safe

Appreciation for the hard work that our law enforcement officers do to keep Santa Cruz residents safe and protected is proclaimed locally and across the country this National Police Week, May 15-21.
At last week’s council meeting, Mayor Cynthia Mathews, speaking on behalf of the Santa Cruz City Council presented Chief Vogel with a Mayor's Proclamation recognizing the Santa Cruz Police Department in honor of Police Appreciation Week.

Mayor Mathews commended SCPD for being an outstanding police department. “We can depend on these brave men and women no matter what, and for that alone we owe them our thanks”.

Being a police officer in Santa Cruz is not without challenges. Officers handle over 100,000 calls for service each year— roughly 275 calls per day or 11 calls every hour. They often see situations at their very worst and manage to make order out of chaos. Yet, each day is an opportunity for SCPD officers to make a difference.

During this Police Appreciation Week we honor and remember those who gave all. We also salute our current team of officers for their tireless efforts on behalf of Santa Cruz. Many of our officers have made a significant difference in someone’s life. Many will never get recognized for their kindness.

If you have a sense of appreciation for members of the Santa Cruz Police Department, let us know.
The City appreciates your support, and thanks you for working together to make Santa Cruz even safer.

Exemplary service or praise about police officers or the department can be sent to Thankacop@cityofsantacruz.com. 

Video also available on our YouTube Channel

https://youtu.be/32brIekZ-NA

About National Police Week
By a joint resolution on October 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that declared May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week, the annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice. ‪

Candlelight Vigil Finally Starts After Rain Delay

For a while there last night….it was not looking good for the home team, as wild Washington, DC weather threatened to force cancellation of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil.

The angry skies cleared up just in time for the show to go on.  Our SCPD team was on hand to participate.  A number of us watched the live-stream of a great ceremony.

Here are some photos sent back from our team in Washington, DC.  

Escorted to the vigil

Speakers and Distinguished Guests

Candles being lit

Elizabeth's family is shown on the big screen

The "Thin Blue Line" over the crowd

A very moving ceremony.  We are proud of the SCPD representation at this event.  Thanks to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for all your work on this week's events.    

SCPD Day Two Highlights From National Police Week and Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Day 2 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremonies as part of National Police Week.

Our team kept plenty busy with activities and touring.

Officer Ganzel making an outline impression of Sergeant Baker’s place on the wall while Officer Trog appears to be supervising.

The day included a tour of Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals baseball team.   

We secretly put a whammy on the place to help out our Giants in their next visit.  Sergeant Mike Harms heated up in the bullpen…..just in case!

Back here in Santa Cruz, Mayor Robinson presented Deputy Chief Martinez with a Proclamation honoring National Police Week.

The day is wrapping up with a candlelight vigil. 

The Butler family with Officer Karina Cecena

The Baker family at the vigil

Candlelight Vigil crowd gathering

Drum Corps at Candlelight Vigil

Chief Vogel at the vigil

We were able to live-stream the vigil to the police department where we were able to watch the ceremony and feel a part of our family back in Washington.   But....As only Butch and Elizabeth would have it....there was a rain delay of the ceremony.  

As of this hour they have not yet started back up from the rain delay. 
 

Mayor Lynn Robinson and Councilmember Pamela Comstock loaded us up with good things to eat while we waited and watched. 

SCPD Attends California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony

On Monday, Santa Cruz Police Honor Guard representatives attended the 2013 ceremony for the California Peace Officers' Memorial.  Our Honor Guard accompanied the Baker family to the ceremony.  In next year's ceremony, (May 2014) Sergeant Butch Baker and Officer Elizabeth Butler will be added to the names on the memorial.  

California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies have been conducted in the State Capitol since 1977. It is a ceremony that honors the officers who have fallen in the line-of-duty the preceding year, recognizing the sacrifice of those loved and left behind.  To learn more about the California Peace Officers' Memorial, click below:

http://www.camemorial.org/
 
A short video is available here or on our YouTube Channel:

California Peace Officers' Memorial Video

On May 1st we also attended the Monterey County Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony where Sergeant Baker and Officer Butler were honored. 

 
In addition to the California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony, National Police Week will be recognized May 12th through May 18th.  In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.To learn more about the National Law Enforcement Memorial click below:

http://www.nleomf.org/