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DECORAH -- As the nation observes National Police Week from May 11 to May 17, Decorah Police Chief Tricia Thein has shared a letter honoring the sacrifices of law enforcement officers across the country — including the 222 Iowans whose names are etched on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. In her message, Chief Thein reflects on the meaning of service, the legacy of fallen officers, and the quiet dedication shown daily by local law enforcement: National Police Week 2025 runs from May 11 through May 17. National Police Week was established in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in Washington D.C. designating May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date fell, National Police Week. Since that time, this week has come to represent and honor law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty-truly making the ultimate sacrifice. At a national level, thousands swarm the law enforcement memorial in Washington, D.C. to pay tribute with a memorial service (which began in 1982 with only 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement). Families of officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice from across the United States, whose names are added to the wall, attend the ceremonies as well. I personally walked the path at Memorial Park, and felt some of the names of the 24,412 officers engraved on those walls. Each name represents a family who remembers that sacrifice all 52 weeks of the year. These walls honor the men and women lost in police service from 1834–2024. 148 officers were lost in 2024, and currently, in 2025, we are at 25. Iowa has contributed to the wall 222 times. At a local level, we honor the sacrifice in a less noticeable way. We may don a black band across our badges in humble recognition for this week. We may watch some of the activities occurring in Washington throughout the week. Mostly, we will just show up to work, to do the job that 222 other Iowans gave their life for. A job built on values, fundamental rights, and principals ordained by the United States Constitution, of beliefs and ideals designed to protect those in our charge from anyone intending to do them harm. This is more than a job. This is a belief system. It is not just something we "do", but more something we "feel". Something that 24,421 other people were willing to die for. Locally, I work with some amazing people in law enforcement. People who stand for what they believe, and who are willing to put that belief into action. Thoughts are good, words are good, but action; now action is where it matters. I work with people who will respond when needed and have shown they will risk their personal safety for the sake of others. I work with officers who, without their action, others would have been lost. These are some of the finest law enforcement officers I know. Decorah, Winneshiek County, and the State of Iowa, can be proud of the men and women who are their Law Enforcement Officers that stand the line between calm and chaos. I know I am. Chief Tricia Thein

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Local Police Chief Reflects on National Police Week, Honors Fallen Officers