88 SFS & law enforcement partners come together for National Police Week

Published June 7, 2024
By Daniel Peterson
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

A low angle photo of a line of Airmen, with their feet dug into the ground, push against the back of a vehicle. — 1st Lt. Hannah Parker, 88th Mission Support Group executive officer, and her teammates from the 88th Communications Squadron, push a 5,500-pound tactical vehicle during the Defenders’ Challenge, May 16, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Part of the annual Wright-Patt Police Week observance, the challenge pitted teams of Airmen and civilians from around the base in a timed event testing their physical fitness and basic warrior skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 88th Security Forces Squadron hosted a series of events in honor of National Police Week at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, May 13-17. Participants gathered from across the base, local and state law enforcement agencies to partake in memorials, competitions and public events.

National Police Week is an annual observance meant to instill honor, remembrance, and peer support among law enforcement while allowing them, survivors, and citizens to pay special recognition to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

During the opening ceremony at the 88 SFS Defenders Grove, Wright-Patt leadership joined base, local, and state police in reflecting on our fallen law enforcement officers.

“There’s no better time to take a week to celebrate what it is you do every day, our defenders and our police, but also recognize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Col. Travis Pond, 88th Air Base Wing deputy commander, said during his opening remarks. “We have a week’s worth of events to give you all the time to think, take a break, have some camaraderie, but also remember those who died serving.”

Four Ohio State Highway Patrol officers stand in the morning light with a water tower in the background — Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol post the colors during a National Police Week ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 13, 2024. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Three signs with photos, illustrations, and names of fallen law enforcement heroes on stands with flags in the background — Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

The photos and names of fallen law enforcement service members and local police on display during a National Police Week ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 13, 2024. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Andy Wilson stands behind a podium giving a speech in a courtyard outdoors with military members sit in the foreground — The photos and names of fallen law enforcement service members and local police on display during a National Police Week ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 13, 2024. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Andy Wilson, Ohio Department of Public Safety director, gives opening remarks during a National Police Week ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 13, 2024. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | The photos and names of fallen law enforcement service members and local police on display during a National Police Week ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 13, 2024. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Andy Wilson, Ohio Department of Safety director, who oversees the state’s nine public safety divisions, was the guest speaker at the event. Before his official statements, Wilson asked for a moment of silence to recognize Officer Jacob Derbin, from Euclid, Ohio, who was killed in the line of duty on May 11.

Later in his speech, Wilson recounted competing in a 150-mile relay race earlier this year alongside the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the positive impact the officers made on him.

“We need to constantly be surrounding ourselves with people who will push us to be the best versions of ourselves every single day,” Wilson said. “There is no better way to sharpen our edge and to strive for constant improvement than through tactical, technical, physical, or other skill-based competition.”

Following the opening ceremonies, a K-9 skills competition was held between certified law enforcement and Wright-Patt military working dog teams. The contest consisted of an obedience challenge, obstacle course, and capability demonstration. MWD Kkaun and his handler Airman 1st Class Devan Hiler, 88 SFS, took top honors among nine competitors.

A dog comes out of a pipe as his handler runs alongside. — Wright-Patt Marks Police Week with K-9 Competition

Airman 1st Class Devon Hiler, 88th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler and MWD Kkaun run an obstacle course as part of a K-9 obedience competition May 13, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The team went on to win the competition that brought military and civilian police dog handlers together to test their skills as part of the base’s police week activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt Marks Police Week with K-9 Competition

A state police officer has his dog jump over a hurdle. — Wright-Patt Marks Police Week with K-9 Competition

Trooper Jordan Hershman, Ohio State Highway Patrol K-9 handler, and K-9 partner Kiro, run an obstacle course as part of a K-9 obedience competition May 13, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The competition brought military and civilian police dog handlers together to test their skills as part of the base’s police week activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt Marks Police Week with K-9 Competition

Side view of a military working dog jumping over a hurdle. — Wright-Patt Marks Police Week with K-9 Competition

Kerry, 88th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, sails over an obstacle in a K-9 obedience competition May 13, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The competition brought military and civilian police dog handlers together to test their skills as part of the base’s police week activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt Marks Police Week with K-9 Competition

The next evening, the Dayton Dragons baseball team recognized Kkaun and the entire 88 SFS military working dog unit as hometown heroes during a military appreciation night game, May 14.

A group photo of eight people and one dog wearing green Dayton Dragons shirts holding an engraved baseball bat — 88th Security Forces Squadron military working dog unit and MWD Kkaun pose for a group photo at Day Air Ballpark, Dayton, Ohio, May 14, 2024. Kkaun and his handlers were honored by the Dayton Dragons baseball organization as Hometown Heroes during National Police Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

On May 15, a Police Week Cops & Cars Expo was held at the off-base Prairies housing community park. Local law enforcement agencies exhibited their latest technology, equipment, and tactical vehicles and interacted with local community members. Participants included 88 SFS, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Fairborn Police, Green County Parks & Trails, Green County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

“Police Week is a great opportunity for law enforcement to showcase their capabilities across the installation and even to our civilian partners and population,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Stefan Endicott, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion military police inspector-instructor. “It’s a community relations effort that just brings everybody together and lets everyone know what it is that we do and what we have at our disposal.”

Four men in camouflage uniforms carry a stretcher, with a mannequin, on their shoulders. — Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

A team of 88th Security Forces Squadron Defenders, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Mackey (back right), Staff Sgt. Derrick Carosello (front right), Ross Hinsken (back left), and Senior Airman Ethan Ravak (front left), carry a litter with a 200-pound mannequin, during the Defenders Challenge May 16, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The team, which included Master Sgt. Aleem King, went on to win the challenge over eight other teams from around the base. Part of the annual Wright-Patt Police Week observance, the challenge pitted teams of Airmen and civilians from around the base in a timed event testing their physical fitness and basic warrior skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

A muscular, tattooed Airman pushes with his shoulder against the back of a vehicle. — Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

Senior Airman Jack Rodriguez, 88th Security Forces Squadron, helps push a 5,500-pound tactical vehicle alongside his teammates, as part of the Defenders Challenge May 16, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Part of the annual Wright-Patt Police Week observance, the challenge pitted teams of Airmen and civilians from around the base in a timed event testing their physical fitness and basic warrior skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

Two Airman push weights above their heads while a third works out on a rowing machine. — Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

Senior Airman Jack Rodriguez, 88th Security Forces Squadron, works the rowing machine while Airman 1st Class Andrew Freeman, 88 SFS, right, and Airman 1st Class Nicholas Osborne, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, lift weights in the physical fitness portion of the 2024 Defenders Challenge May 16, 2024, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Part of the annual Wright-Patt Police Week observance, the challenge pitted teams of Airmen and civilians from around the base in a timed event testing their physical fitness and basic warrior skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

Two men in camouflage uniforms lean over the top of some weapons working on them. — Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

Airman 1st Class Kyle Walb, right, 88th Air Base Wing Chaplain Office, and Staff Sgt. Logan Thimm, 88th Security Forces Squadron, reassemble M4 rifles as part of the Defenders Challenge May 16, 2024, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The two were teammates on the Holy Reapers’ team. The chaplain office sponsored team placed second in the nine-team event. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt holds annual Defenders Challenge

Endicott helped organize this year’s Defenders Challenge, May 16. Teams of four to five members competed in a series of timed physical challenges designed to test personal fitness, mental resilience, and competitive teamwork. Wearing weighted vests, challengers completed a 50-meter Humvee push, weapons disassembly and reassembly, a 200-lb casualty evacuation litter carry, and a physical fitness station.

“It’s great to watch the teams work together and come up with different plans,” Endicott said. “I lay the foundation of what they’re doing, but they get to devise how they’re going to complete it and its interesting to watch the ingenuity and problem-solving take place as they go through the different obstacles.”

On the last day, service members from across the base marched in the rain alongside local and state law enforcement officers during a Ruck to Remember 5K. Many participants attached the names, biographies, and photos of fallen officers to the back of their rucksacks to honor them. At the half-way point, participants held an End of Watch and moment of silence to reflect on their ultimate sacrifice.

Back image of military member marching with a photo and bio page attached to his rucksack — Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Malymezian, 88th Mission Support Group command chief, marches in the National Police Week Ruck to Remember at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 17, 2024. Malymezian and other participants honored fallen law enforcement officers by attaching photos and biographies to their rucksacks during the 5K march. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Close-up of military boots marching through a puddle in the rain — Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Service members march through the rain at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 17, 2024. Participants marched alongside local and state police during the National Police Week Ruck to Remember in honor of fallen law enforcement officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

To close out the week, the 88 SFS held a formal remembrance ceremony, reading the names of officers from local law enforcement, security forces and Air Force office of special investigations who have fallen in the line of duty. The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence accompanied by a lone bugle playing Taps.

A pair of boots, vertical rifle with a battle helmet on top, sit on top of a wooden stand with a military beret attached to its front — Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

A memorial rifle stand sits on display during a National Police Week ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 17, 2024. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

A group of service members stand with their heads bowed and eyes closed — Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

Members of the 88th Security Forces Squadron bow their heads during a ceremony in remembrance of fallen law enforcement officers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 17, 2024. The ceremony closed out the annual National Police Week observance period with a moment of silence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt National Police Week 2024

National Police Week was established in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day to pay tribute to the federal, state, and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. He also proclaimed the week of May 15 as Police Week, to recognize the duties and responsibilities police officers take on as they serve the American people.

Video Recap of 2024 Wright-Patterson AFB Police Week

03:48

VIDEO | 03:48 | Wright-Patt Police Week 2024