From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department honored the sacrifice of fallen officers on Wednesday with a wreath ceremony performed by the department’s honor guard at Linn Park.
The department announced that the traditional ceremony was canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the department filmed the honor guard performing the ceremony that was done as part of National Police Week.
💙 It is National #PoliceWeek💙 Today, BPD’s Honor Guard held a wreath #memorial ceremony at Linn Park to honor fallen officers. Thank you for your service. pic.twitter.com/Nwjli2GwFa
— Bhampolice (@BhamPolice) May 13, 2020
National Police Week 2020 runs from Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020. The honorary week was established in 1962 following President Kennedy proclaiming May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls in as National Police Week.
According to state statistics, six Alabama law enforcement officers were shot and killed in 2019, which is the highest recorded number in more than 30 years.
“This has been a horrific year for law enforcement as it relates to what we have faced,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said at the time.
Nationally, 38 officers were shot and killed in the line of duty in 2019.