Peace Officer Memorial Day Today

Law enforcement locally and around the nation are marking Peace Officer Memorial Day today.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that in commemoration of Peace Officer Memorial Day today, the flag at the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office will be lowered to half staff today.

Shirley said he asks those in the area with flags that can be lowered to half staff to also do so in memory of those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

“I know that the officers that serve this area would be so appreciative to see those flags lowered to half-staff in honor of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in serving the public,” said Shirley.

Peace Officer Memorial Day is one of two days when the U.S. Flag is required to be flown at half-staff. The other is Memorial Day.

Also, Shirley said all Sheriff’s Office personnel wearing badges have been ordered to wear the black mourning ribbon across their badges at all times today.

According to the sheriff, 117 peace officers died in the line of duty last year.

That includes Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cruz Thomas, who died while attempting to apprehend a speeding motorist on Interstate 85 last year.

Shirley said he was traveling this week with Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, Deputy Thomas’ father, to Washington, D.C. to see Deputy Thomas’ name unveiled at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.