By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — This year, May 9-15 marks the observance of National Police Week.

In conjunction, on Monday, appreciation and support for law enforcement will be on display in Georgetown.

The event, organized by state Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, will begin at 7 p.m. on The Circle.

“I wanted to have it during … the month of May,” said Sen. Pettyjohn. “But with, obviously, what we are seeing right now with the police, … I want our men and women in blue to know that the community at large, no matter (what) they might hear otherwise, the community at large supports our law enforcement.”

A similar rally held in July 2020 on The Circle drew an estimated 500 people.

Attendees at this year’s event will likely include elected officials and community members, who will be speaking “about our law enforcement, the good that they do and showing the community’s support for the men and women,” Sen. Pettyjohn said.

Invites were sent to all elected officials in Sussex County, including Delaware General Assembly members, row office holders, Sussex County Council and mayors.

Invitations to law enforcement agencies were sent out through the Sussex County Police Chiefs Council, Sen. Pettyjohn said.

National Police Week dates to 1962, with President John F. Kennedy’s proclamation that May 15 be annually observed as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls be named National Police Week.

Established through a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week recognizes those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.