U.S. Attorney Stands With Peace Officers In Honor Of Police Week 2019

MACON – Federal prosecutors in Middle Georgia are joining their fellow law enforcement partners in events across the state commemorating National Police Week 2019, announced Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. National Police Week was enacted by Congress in a joint resolution issued in October 1962, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice. According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018. As a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face while keeping us safe, on Saturday night, Sgt. Kelvin Ansari, a Savannah, Georgia police officer, who was born in Albany, Georgia and attended Early County High School in the Middle District of Georgia, was gunned down while responding to a robbery.

“As our state continues to mourn the recent loss of Sgt. Ansari, we are reminded that when an officer falls, our entire community suffers the loss of a true hero devoted to serving and protecting our citizens,” said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “This week, please join us in taking a moment to thank a law enforcement officer for their service and sacrifice.”

Events honoring Police Memorial Week are occurring across the Middle District. Personnel with the U.S. Attorney’s Office have participated in memorials at Albany Technical College in Albany and at the Government Center in Columbus this week. On Friday, May 17, there is a memorial service at 8:30 a.m. on the corner of Mulberry and Second Streets in downtown Macon. The public is invited to attend. For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.

Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.