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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Public Invited to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Police Department | ||
| DATE: | May 5, 2017 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Traditionally, the local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 conducts a Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Justice Center during National Police Week.
The service this year will be held this coming Monday, May 8, 2017 at 4:00 PM at the Kingsport Police Department Law Enforcement Memorial and Eternal Flame, located on the corner of West Market and Clay Streets in Downtown Kingsport. The department extends an open invitation to anyone who would like to join us as we remember and honor our local fallen officers, as well as all fallen officers throughout the nation. The local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 is named in honor of two of the Kingsport Police Department’s Fallen Officers, Patrolman Ira H. Burgess and Patrolman John E. Mills, who were tragically shot and killed in the line of duty in 1950 and 1940 respectively. Information regarding these and all of K.P.D.’s Fallen Officers can be found in the following link: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/police-department/our-fallen-officers/ The following excerpt is shared from the website of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: “Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement. That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 150 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.” The following two inscriptions are found on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. “This Memorial is dedicated to all Law Enforcement Officers in the United States of America. Inscribed on these walls are the names of those men and women who died in the line of duty.” “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.” Links to the National Police Week website, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website, and the Officer Down Memorial Page are provided below: |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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The Official Blog of the Kingsport Police Department 
I never knew my grandfather but I know a lot about him. He was a very noble police officer. My dad, a police officer as well, taught me to respect the police and know they were always there for me. I want to acknowledge the FOP Burgess and Mills Lodge and the Kingsport Police Department for remembering my grandfather’s sacrifice. Thank you! “Gratitude is a memory of the heart.”
Lesa (Burgess) Williams
Granddaughter of Ira H Burgess and daughter of Cecil Elmo Burgess, both former police officers with the Kingsport Police Department.