New Middletown police plan memorial event

STAFF REPORT

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Village police, in honor of National Police Week this week, will have a Peace Officers Memorial Day on Friday.

Village flags will be flown at half-staff to honor police officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice by losing their lives in the line of duty. All businesses and residents are encouraged to display their flags at half-staff that day.

Police patrol units also will display a blue ribbon. The blue ribbon is symbolic of the “Thin Blue Line” that separates the law-abiding community from those unscrupulous people who choose to violate the laws, said police Chief Vincent D’Egidio.

He encouraged village residents to either tie a blue ribbon on car antennas or have a blue light in their home windows.

“This week, when you see a police officer, take the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the job they do every day,” D’Egidio added.

President John F. Kennedy and the 87th Congress established National Police Week in 1962.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton and the 103rd Congress directed all U.S. flags on government buildings be flown at half-staff on May 15, designed as Peace Officers Memorial Day.