Police officers and officials will pay tribute to the dedication of the men and women, past and present, who protect our communities during “National Police Week,” May 15 to May 21.

The Kane County Executive Committee on Wednesday (May 4, 2016) forwarded a proclamation commemorating May 15, 2016, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15 through May 22 as Police Week in Kane County, IL. The proclamation is expected to pass at the full County Board meeting on May 10.

Prior to the formal celebration of Police Week, at 6:30 p.m., May 11, the Kane County Chiefs of Police will hold its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Ceremony at the Mooseheart Church of God on IL Route 31 between North Aurora and Batavia. The non-denominational service will feature a candle lighting vigil to honor Kane County officers who have been killed in the line of duty as well as formations from area police honor guards and pipe and drum units.

The special guest speaker is retired police officer and licensed clinical psychologist Karen Koch who is now the director of the Forensic Psychology Program at Adler University in Chicago. Koch has also taught at the Police Training Institute, National-Louis University, and Moraine Valley Community College. She was a police officer in Oak Forrest from 1976 to 2002 and is well known for her work with law enforcement and military personnel. She volunteers her time with officers who have been injured in the line of duty through the Chicago Police Survivors.

Police Week in Aurora

In Aurora, 2016 marks the 20th straight year the Police Department and city are celebrating the week, which has been observed nationally since President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 proclamation that designated the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.  The same proclamation named May 15 as National Police Officer’s Memorial Day to honor those officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

The local celebration of Police Week culminates on May 21 when the community is invited to APD’s annual Memorial Ceremony which will salute current and former police officers.

The day will begin at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Plaza outside the Aurora Police Department’s Headquarters, 1200 E. Indian Trail, with a service dedicated to the memories of Alfred Olin and Thompson Richardson, the only two Aurora Police officers ever killed in the line of duty.

Also memorialized will be three Aurora Police officers who passed away since last year’s police week: retired Captain Lou “Duke” Beatus, Cmdr. Joe Groom and Sgt. Don Corp.

The Aurora Police Honor Guard will stage formations and a gun salute during the ceremony, and the Pipes and Drums of the Aurora Police will perform. In addition, the names of officers who have retired will be officially unveiled on the Aurora Police Service Wall. The wall honors APD employees who retired after 20, 25, and 30 years of service.

Following the ceremony, a vintage baseball game will be played under the original rules established in the 1800’s between the Aurora Town Club, a team consisting of Aurora police officers; and the Lemont Quarrymen at Simmons Park across from the police headquarters. Food will be available for purchase courtesy of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

On Tuesday, May 17, the annual Exchange Club of Aurora Police Officer of the Year Luncheon will be staged at 11:30 a.m. at Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road. Four Aurora police officers are nominated for the award that celebrates actions that go far above and beyond the call of their duties. It has been an annual tradition since 1963. Tickets are $20. Call (630) 256-5008 for more information.

For information on any of the Aurora activities, call (630) 256-5008.