ORDER-2017-164 : A Resolution Recognizing National Police Week 2017

Transcript (~7 min @ 28:44)

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▶ 28:41 Speaker 5: Order number 2017-164, a resolution recognizing National Police Week 2017. Alderman Lemmerman.

▶ 28:49 Speaker 2: Mr. President, I move for immediate consideration, please. Alderman Lemmerman requests immediate consideration of order 2017-128. Is there an objection to immediate consideration? There is not. Motion to suspend the rules so that we could read the resolution into the order at the podium and be joined by Chief Lyle and members of the Melrose Police Department. Second the motion to suspend the rules. Alderman Lemmerman moves to suspend the rules. Motion seconded by Alderman Mortimer on the motion to suspend. All those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes. The rules are suspended. invite chief lyle and the officer

▶ 30:06 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: thank you to the members of the board of aldermen for allowing for immediate consideration on this order and so that we may read the resolution into the record this evening with members of the police department present and thank you chief lyle and the officers here tonight for joining us before i read the resolution i just wanted to give a bit of background. National Police Week takes place every year in May and during that time tens of thousands of police officers, surviving family members, and supporters gather in Washington DC at this time to attend a series of events which include conference workshops, support groups, and remembrances. Each year Police Week falls within the calendar year of May 15th which is known as Peace Officers Memorial Day. So May 15th is today so but today is Peace Officers Memorial Day 2017. It's a day to pay special recognition to those law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Here in the city of Melrose, we remember two officers in particular. Melrose Police Officer Joseph Paul Martin worked with the department for 10 years. On May 31st, 1969, Officer Martin responded to a call that resulted in a foot chase with two suspects. As a result of that chase, Officer Martin suffered a heart attack and later died, leaving behind his wife and two children. In addition, we recognize Officer Garrett Swayze, who grew up here in Melrose. Officer Swayze graduated from Melrose High School in 1989. And in 2009, he became a police officer with the University of Colorado Police Department. On November 27, 2015, he responded to a report of an active shooter. He was shot and killed protecting his community, also leaving behind a wife and two small children. Police Week is also a time to recognize the incredible duty and responsibility that's taken on by all police officers and the sacrifices that they make to do the job every day. We are thankful to the Melrose police officers for their work that allows us to live safely in this community. Through their work and dedication to public safety Melrose has experienced a greater than 55% drop in

▶ 32:07 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: major crime this year so far. Melrose police have been on the front lines in the city's fight against addiction which we just heard about from from the chief saving several lives through the use of Narcan. They participated in drug take-back events, community outreach efforts like coffee with a cop and monthly educational community meetings, and give of their time off duty as well. For example, and I hope the Chief doesn't mind me saying, for the past two years he and his wife have walked 26.2 miles in the Boston Marathon Route in support of the Jimmy Fund with the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. And I think he's done it pretty fast, too, from what I know of when he crosses the finish line. So it's impressive. For all of these reasons, through this resolution, we hope to show our gratitude for all law enforcement officers who regularly put the safety of their communities in front of themselves. So at this time, I will read this resolution into the order, a resolution recognizing National Police Week 2017. Whereas there are approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the Marist Police Department, and whereas 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 Police Week in order to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. And whereas the names of those dedicated public servants who lost their lives serving their communities are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. And whereas 394 names of fallen heroes are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring. And whereas among the names currently engraved on the memorial are those of Melrose Police Department Officer Joseph Paul Martin and Melrose native Officer Garrett Swayze of the University of Colorado Police Department. And whereas the Melrose Board of Aldermen honors and commends all those officers who risk their lives while serving the citizens of Melrose in order to protect our safety and welfare. Now therefore be it resolved that the Melrose Board of Aldermen formally designates May 14th through 20th 2017 as police week in the city of Melrose and publicly salutes those men and women who have committed their lives to public safety in our community and in communities across the nation on this 15th day of May 2017

▶ 34:37 Speaker 3: many years ago when I was a patrolman 1985 we had a traffic supervisor Mary Foley she gave her life for saving a youngster going to st. Mary's and certainly we have to recognize her she was not a sworn police officer she was a traffic supervisor to her family my condolences and our well wishes to you thank you

▶ 35:36 Speaker 2: motion to place on file mr. president second Alderman Lummerman moves that we Place order 2017-164 on file. Motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer. On the motion, all those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes. The order will be placed on file.