Last week, we celebrated National Correctional Officers Week to shine a light on the hard work and dedication our corrections staff brings to the table.

Throughout the week, we shared facts and faces behind the Lexington County Detention Center on our social media accounts to bring attention to the life of a correctional officer.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week.

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.

Recently, the Lexington County Council issued a proclamation recognizing this week as National Police Week and last week as National Correctional Officers Week.

Council’s resolution reads, in part, “law enforcement officers recognize and embrace their duty to serve the people of this community, by protecting them against violence and disorder…”

It’s easy to do that because our community believes in what we do and stands behind us in a variety of ways.

We see and feel that support routinely, but setting aside a particular week to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of those who’ve gone before us is important.

Although our Law Enforcement Memorial event looks a bit different this year due to the recent changes, we are still taking a moment to recognize all the officers who have died in the line of duty while serving a Lexington County-based agency.

I invite you to stop by the monument located near the Lexington County Courthouse to view the names of the fallen - those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We will always remember.