National Police Week

Staff Sgt. Rachel Spahr, 341st Security Forces Squadron member, checks a driver’s identification card at the main gate of Malmstrom Air Force Base on May 17. Security forces members have 12-hour shifts guarding the main gate to provide adequate security for Malmstrom 24/7. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt)

National Police Week

Senior Airman Storm Doromal, 341st Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, treats his dog Aslan to a rubber chew toy after successfully completing a training exercise May 17.The exercise is used to train the handler and the dog to work as a team while also testing the dog’s skills at pinpointing potential explosives using smell alone. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt)

National Police Week

Team Malmstrom members host an open house at Malmstrom Air Force Base’s Exchange in honor of National Police Week on May 17. During the event, security forces members along with Airmen from the 341st Security Forces Group Tactical Response Force had the opportunity to show people some of the tools they use on a daily basis to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt)

Honoring heroes during National Police Week

Published May 21, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week that day fell on as Police Week. Since then, the event has come to be known as National Police Week and has garnered the support of thousands of civilian and military personnel who gather annually to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Last year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 72 law enforcement officers were killed while on duty and since 2001, nine Air Force security forces personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

During the week-long event, Team Malmstrom members and people all around the nation gathered together to show support for the men and women who put on their uniforms every morning to protect our friends and family.

"It's an honor to be able to recognize those men and women who have sacrificed everything in the line of duty," said Senior Master Sgt. John Carter, 341 Security Forces Squadron plans and programs superintendent. "Civilian and Military alike, the people who put their lives on the line every day deserve our support and this is just a small way we try to show them our thanks for the sacrifices they make.

"Our retirees have also played a big part in us being able to show our appreciation," he continued. "The whole week has been a big team effort. The job our law enforcement officers and security forces members have can be tough, and as we've learned, can possibly cost them their life, so every little bit we can do to back them up counts."

Events such as a retiree retreat ceremony and open house at the Malmstrom Air Force Base Exchange provided an outlet for people to show their support while learning more about the job Airmen do directly from the people who do it. Three Humvees were put on display, as well as law enforcement tools, giving attendees a hands on look at day-to-day operations.

"There are four squadrons here at Malmstrom that provide security for the base and its resources," said Staff Sgt. Jaime Gutierrez, 341st SFS member. "In the field, we cover more than 13,800 square miles and in order to do that effectively, we need top notch personnel. The amount of geographic space we have to cover is pretty astounding and most of the time the resources we have out there are guarded by relatively young Airmen who put a lot on the line to keep us out of harms way.

"The mission can't go on without people and people can't do a whole lot it they're not safe," he continued. "From the gate guards to our patrolmen and the men and women out in the field, civilian and military alike; it takes everyone to accomplish the mission and I believe we have some of the best people we could ask for."