Wichita Falls Police Department holds memorial service

The Wichita Falls Police Department celebrated police week on Monday with a memorial service to honor all those who have fallen and those who currently serve.

"This whole week is dedicated as police week, so today we take the time to honor those officers who have fallen in the line of duty, to honor their families and their loved ones," Sgt. Charlie Eipper, WFPD public information officer, said.

"It's a means of memorializing them so we never forget what they've done for our police department," Eipper said.

During the Wichita Falls Police Memorial Service, families of fallen officers were gifted flowers, and the names of fallen officers were recognized.

"We've seen numbers of other agencies that are close that will come in and just take part in this memorial," Eipper said. "We also have military that are here and then other civilians."

Sheppard Air Force Base servicemembers, Wichita Falls police and their recruits, Wichita Falls City Council members and others were in attendance.

"As a recruit to attend this memorial, it's very humbling to know that people have given their lives in the line of duty," Awtry Blagg, WFPD recruit, said.

"As a recruit also being here and seeing the community back you is another big thing for me," Blagg said. "I feel very blessed that I've grown up in this community and having a community like this that has our backs."

The ceremony also included an honor guard salute, raising of the American flag, a proclamation and the playing of taps. National Police Week is celebrated this week.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Police Week 2024