Two Airmen from the 554th Red Horse Squadron perform buddy carries for the final event of the Warrior Challenge May 16, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Six first responder teams participated in the challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

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Capt. David Bullock, 736th Security Forces Squadron, cools off in the ocean after completing the Warrior Challenge, a physical endurance course that exhausted first responders for nearly 4 hours, May 16, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Andersen held the challenge in support of National Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

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The 36th Security Forces Squadron team ruck marches down Sander’s Slope during the Warrior Challenge May 16, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Each team member had to march with a 35-pound ruck sack throughout the six mile course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

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Airman Cody Rother, 36th Security Forces Squadron, helps his team do fire team push-ups during the “Team Pain” portion of the Warrior Challenge May 16, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Andersen held the challenge in support of National Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

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A participant of the Warrior Challenge during National Police Week performs pull-ups May 16, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Performing 100 pull-ups as a team was the starting station each first responder team had to endure during the Challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

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A member of the Guam Police Department makes opening remarks before the Department Honor Guard presents the colors during the National Police Week’s Hagatna wreath-laying ceremony May 15, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The ceremony is an annual event honoring the fallen officers of Guam and around the world who lost their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie/Released)

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Capt. David Bullock, 736th Security Forces Duty Officer places in a rose, in remembrance of a fallen security forces officer, during the Hagatna National Police Week wreath-laying ceremony May 15, 2012 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. National Police week is an annual celebration that features different events to educate the community and honor fallen officers around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie/Released)

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Andersen concludes Police Week

Published May 20, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Mariah Haddenham
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Team Andersen concluded National Police Week with a retreat ceremony at 5 p.m. May 15, at the 36th Wing headquarters flagpole.

National Police Week occurs each year during the week of May 15, in recognition of the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement.

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

"Over the past 25 years, Police Week has grown to not only honor officers who have fallen in the line of duty, but all first responders," said Senior Master Sgt. Shane Murray, 736th Security Forces Squadron manager.

Police Week is headed up by the 36th Security Forces Squadron, and supported by the 736 SFS.

"Bringing all the different agencies and squadrons together to work toward a common goal is my favorite part of Police Week," said Sergeant Murray. "It helps build interoperability and relationships; it also makes the community aware of our first responders and what they have to sacrifice each day."

Police Week is meant to pay respect to those who have fallen in the line of duty, but also for first responders to build moral and camaraderie.

"Police week incorporates many different first responders with each other and educates them on each other's job specialties and what they have to go through to help save the lives of the populous," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Crane, 736 SFS.

A week of appreciation is more than deserved for the men and women who work daily to protect the safety and well being of servicemembers at Andersen.

"It is a chance to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives," said Sergeant Murray. "Police Week builds pride and ownership in being a part of a special career field. It's a hard job, so this shows them what they are fighting for. It shows that people respect what they do and they are proud of them. It's a nice feeling."