Page 9 - May June 2019 TPA Journal

From the Desk of the

Executive Director

Erwin Ballarta

Greetings, our profession is inherently dangerous. We put
Police Memorial Holiday was created on ourselves in harms way to safeguard the
October 1, 1961, when Congress authorized community we live in. I am honored to be with
the president to designate May 15 to honor such men and women that serve our country.
peace officers. John F. Kennedy signed the
bill into law on October 1, 1962. As I write to you, six more officers are killed in
one day. The rising numbers of police murders is a
The 87th Congress of the United States of disappointing news. The rising assault of police
America authorized the President to officers from firearms, officers struck by motor
proclaim May 15 of each year as Peace vehicles, edged weapons attacks, punched,
Officers Memorial Day and the calendar strangled and struck by other weapons are
week of each year during which such May 15 felonious actions and disturbing. Public safety is a
occurs as Police Week. dangerous job and comes with a steep price.

To law enforcement agencies, officers and We pray and pay tribute to those that have made
other first responders, this memorial signifies their ultimate sacrifice to our country.
sacrifice and loss of life. As officers, we know We remember those that gave their lives in
too well the violent and dramatic encounters protection of their communities.
each of us and our fellow officers may
encounter. We know very well the emotional Praying for all our officers and their families.
toll it takes on the family. The very nature of Blessings,
Erwin

May/June 2019 www.texaspoliceassociation.com • 866-997-8282 5