Issue 599 – May 14, 2019

By AskAndy on May 14, 2019 in News

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~ By Presidential Proclamation ~
Police Week ~ May 12th through May 18th
Peace Officers Memorial Day ~ Wednesday – May 15th

TOMORROW you will see NATIONWIDE LOWERING of the NATIONAL COLORS and the FLAGS of EACH STATE. Please do the same for the AMERICAN FLAG you may display at your own home ~ HALF-STAFF from SUNRISE to SUNSET on WEDNESDAY.

In the United States today, 950 thousand law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for our safety and protection. They serve with valor and distinction—and with great success. As a result, 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.

But that protection comes at a price. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries and death of those sworn to serve and protect. In the past decade, an average of 160 officers a year are been killed in the line of duty.

While in 2017 the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty dropped sharply—marking the second-lowest toll in more than 50 years—2018 saw a significant jump in law enforcement fatalities.

As of late December 2018, 144 officers have died in the line of duty, 52 by gunshot—primarily with pistols or revolvers. That was up 12% from 2017, when 129 officers died, with 46 shot, according to data released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), a nonprofit organization devoted to honoring officers and improving safety.

The states with the highest number of officer deaths in 2018 were Texas, Florida, California, and New York, where 9/11 service-related deaths are still occurring.

Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day pay tribute to the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication. These observances also remind us of the ongoing need to be vigilant against all forms of crime—especially to acts of extreme violence and terrorism.

Let’s be sure to honor those who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice and those who continue selflessly to serve.

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

About AskAndy

Andy is a Board Member of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.

Andy was recognized in 2017 as a National Distinguished Eagle Scout and Regent of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is currently serving as council member-at-large. His previous position, which he held for over 20 years (except for several years when he served as District Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner-Training), was Unit Commissioner. He has previously served as Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, International Representative, and--as a Scout--Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a charter member and founding director of his prior council's Alumni Association and Eagle Scout Alumni Association, both established in 2001. He earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, in 1957; two years later, he earned the Explorer Silver Award--at that time referred to as the "Double-Eagle." At age 16, he served on the National Junior Leader Training Camp Staff at Schiff Scout Reservation (at that time this was a salaried position). He also served on the Philmont NJLIC Staff in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and, later, on two Pilot Regional NAYLE Staffs. His recognitions include: Kashafa Iraqi Scouting Service Award, Distinguished Commissioner, Doctor of Commissioner Science, International Scouter Award, District Award of Merit (2), Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Scouter's Key (3), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Cliff Dochterman Rotarian Scouter Award, James E. West Fellow (3), Wood Badge & Sea Badge. He has attended four National Scout Jamborees: Scout in 1957, First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1993, National Staff in 2001, and NESA Featured Speaker in 2014 and 2017. The BSA included his article titled "Frictionless Scouting Events" was incorporated into the BSA National Training Video, "Meetings of the District" for ten years. He is a charter member of the BSA National Advancement Advisory Board and has written multiple technical articles for the BSA Advancement Team's "Advancement News" since 2012. Read Andy's full biography

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