Law enforcement gather to remember fallen officers

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day to honor fallen law enforcement officers and their families.

Local officers joined together at the Columbus Police Department in remembrance.

More than 40 law enforcement officers have died in 2019 so far.

Biloxi Police Officer Rob McKeithen and Lowndes County Constable “Hoot” West both died in the line of duty just last week.

Chief Fred Shelton said being an officer is tough. You never know what each day will bring.

“It is a great sacrifice to the country because people have to understand that once a police officer puts his badge on and goes to work there is no guarantee that he is going to come back. They will put their life on the line trying to defend that person so they can have a right to freedom in the United States of America,” said Police Chief Frederick Shelton.

Wednesday’s Memorial is just one event celebrating law enforcement during police week.