Multiple Indiana, Illinois Police Agencies Honor Fallen Officers for National Police Week

National Police Week was marked by several solemn ceremonies honoring fallen law enforcement officers across the country. In South Bend, Indiana, the Police Department held its inaugural wreath-laying ceremony at the Fallen Officers Memorial in Southlawn Cemetery, joined by multiple local police agencies, to honor officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, including Officer Scott Severns who died in 2006. The ceremony highlighted unity among officers and support for the families of the fallen, emphasizing the personal sacrifices law enforcement officers make daily. Similarly, the Schaumburg Police Department in Illinois held its first local memorial service, remembering nine officers who died in 2024 and others from previous years, underscoring the legacy and courage behind each badge. Officials at both events acknowledged the national scope of the sacrifice, with over 24,000 officers killed in the line of duty historically and 345 new names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring alone. These ceremonies serve as powerful reminders of the risks involved in policing and the importance of community support for law enforcement and their families.