The Milton Police Department invites our community to join us later this month in marking Police Week – an annual opportunity to recognize law enforcement’s contributions, engagement, and sacrifices.

The annual event began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy proclaimed National Peace Officers Memorial Day and, with it, National Police Week to honor U.S. police officers who died while serving and protecting others. In recent decades, there’s traditionally a large-scale gathering in Washington, D.C., that draws officers and supporters from all over, as well as smaller events and commemorations around the country.

Each community marks Police Week a little differently. In Milton, this year’s festivities will once again offer opportunities to connect with the community, remember those lost in the line of duty, and celebrate outstanding members of our City’s Police Department.

Police Week runs from May 12 to May 18. Two days before its official start (so, on May 10), Milton Police will get in the spirit as officers come together to participate in a Special Olympics Torch Run in downtown Crabapple. After an awareness-raising run that morning, they’ll literally hand over the torch to their counterparts at Roswell Police.

Milton’s first official Police Week event is similarly about doing something for the greater good. On May 14, the Department invites people to partner with its officers – and, in doing so, help honor those lost in the line of duty – by giving blood.

This blood drive will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. that Tuesday inside Stonecreek Church at 13540 Highway 9 (and very close to Police Headquarters). People can make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering “MPD” as the sponsor code.

The following day, the City will release a memorial video paying tribute to all fallen officers from the past year in Georgia. Milton Police collaborated in this production with colleagues from around the area. It will be posted on the Milton Police (https://www.facebook.com/MiltonGAPoliceDepartment/) and City’s Facebook pages (https://www.facebook.com/thecityofmiltonga/), as well as the City’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@CityofMiltonGeorgia).

Then, starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 17, Milton Police will hold its annual awards ceremony in the Milton courtroom in the same building as Police Headquarters at the Public Safety Complex (13690 Highway 9). This is a chance to celebrate the entire department while recognizing individuals who particularly excelled in one regard or another, including announcing honors such as Officer of the Year. New and recently promoted officers will be recognized as well. Members of the public are very welcome to attend.

Whether or not you can attend any of these events, there are other ways citizens can show their support during Police Week. This might involve putting signs in their yard, tying a blue ribbon around a tree or mailbox, or joining City employees in wearing blue on May 17.

That said, Milton Police appreciate the love shown by residents to our officers on a regular basis. And connecting with this awesome community is one of the most important and rewarding things that Milton Police do every week of the year. If you have ideas, questions, or thoughts on this kind of engagement, contact Community Outreach Officer Logan Pacheco at logan.bolen@miltonga.gov.