FORT SMITH (KFSM)-The Fort Smith National Historic Site honered fallen officers throughout the day (May 16).
The main event featured a ceremony led by the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Honor guard, a 21-gun salute and Taps by the Fort Smith Police Department Honor Guard.
At 11 a.m., Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck started the ceremony with a welcome and roll call of the officers who died in the line of duty between 1872 and 1896 while serving the Fort Smith District Court for Western Arkansas.
It finished with Park Ranger Jeremy Lynch playing Amazing Grace on bagpipes.
“This year would be significant because we lost an officer during National Police Week, also last year we lost some officers in Arkansas during National Police Week,” Lynch said. “It’s always a shame when that happens that very week when officers are being honored.”
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Saturday (May 16) marks the final day of National Police Week.
Throughout the Fort Smith National Historic Site, memorial markers honored officers who died serving the Fort Smith District Court in the 1800s. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., interpretive programs will highlight dangers faced by Deputy U.S. Marshals in the Indian Territory.
