Security forces Airmen honor fallen comrades (Tissue Alert)

Air Force Link ^ | Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor, USAF

[SandRat]

5/20/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Airmen deployed to the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here commemorated National Police Week May 11 through 17 at a Southwest Asian air base.

Members of the 386th ESFS paid homage to those killed in action by hosting a series of events celebrating the memory of their fallen comrades.

Every year in the United States, more than 60,000 police officers are assaulted and on average, one officer is killed every 53 hours. In the past 10 years, 1,699 law enforcement members have lost their lives in the line of duty. More than 17,000 officers have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout the nation's history.

"Our security forces have felt these losses as well," said Col. Robert Tirevold, the Air Force Security Forces Center commander in a recent policy letter sent out to security forces units on this year's observance. "During the past 10 years, 15 fellow security forces members have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Our most recent loss on April 2, 2008, was Staff Sgt. Travis Griffin who was killed by an explosive device that detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Iraq."

Sergeant Griffin, assigned to the 277th Security Forces Squadron from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., was 28 and is survived by his mother and his son.

"Not forgotten are our colleagues from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations," Colonel Tirevold said. "Since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, seven special agents have also made the ultimate sacrifice. Most recently, Special Agent Thomas Crowell, David Wieger and Nathan Schuldheiss, assigned to AFOSI Det. 2411 from Balad Air Base, Iraq, were killed by an improvised explosive device on Nov. 1, 2007."

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

The 386th ESFS Airmen held a 3.1-mile run May 11, a 10-mile quadrathon May 12 consisting of a swim, run, cycle and ruck march series, a candlelight vigil May 13 honoring 10 members of the security forces and AFOSI community killed in action, a retreat ceremony and softball tournament May 16.

"When we're deployed, we're security specialists and when we're at home we're law enforcement and provide overall security for the base we're assigned to," said Airman 1st Class JoVan Descartes, a 386th ESFS member deployed from Bolling AFB, D.C. "These events mean a whole lot to me because it gives a chance to show our respect to those people who've gave their lives and to this career field."

[SandRat]

1st Lt. Gregory DeGruchy places a candle in front of a memorial during a candlelight vigil May 13 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The candlelight vigil was a memorial service designated to pay homage to law enforcement officers who selflessly gave their lives in the line of duty during the past year including Air Force Office of Special Investigation special agents, security forces members and military working dogs. Lieutenant DeGruchy is the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron officer in charge of force protection. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Jason McCree)

[SandRat]

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