Monday, the Green Bay Police Department held a special ceremony in honor of National Police Week.
Flags flew at half staff outside of police offices. Officers Monday recognized members of their department who had passed as well as other officers across the country who lost their lives in the line of duty.
"Personally in my career it’s a time to reflect on all the officers that came before me, all the good work that's been done for years and you know it’s kind of a camaraderie thing with the other officers," said District Captain John Laux.
The National Police week started in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th the start of police week.
Officers gathered Monday in front of the department's police memorial for the ceremony. The honor guard presented the colors before prayer and a moment silence.
Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith said across the country last year, 143 officers lost their lives in the line of duty, and so far this year 50 officers have been killed in the first few months of 2017.
Today's event paid tribute to those officers as well as a Green Bay police officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"In the history of the Green Bay Police Department, we've only lost one officer," said Police Chief Andrew Smith. “That was George Motquin, who was killed in a traffic collision, in a line of duty traffic death and that was in 1951. We've been extraordinarily fortunate here in Green Bay that we haven't lost an officer and that we've had very few injuries among our officers.”
The ceremony also honored a Green Bay Police Department secretary who died this year, Sherry Bosar.
There was also a special lunch catered by the Hyatt to honor the department.
Members of Green Bay Police Department also are attending ceremonies in Washington, DC and Madison in honor of Police Week.
