News brief: A time to say thank you to police

2015.0512.lawenforcementweek7478

Red roses for remembrance share the pedestal with The Guardian statue in Chehalis.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A medal of valor and other commendations will be awarded tonight as Centralia police recognize courage, service and sacrifice among their ranks.

The annual ceremony will take place at Centralia City Hall during the city council meeting, according to Chief Bob Berg.

It’s National Police Week. Friday is National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, time set aside and established by Congress to pay tribute to those officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities, according to Berg.

The retiring police chief notes that 117 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty across the country last year, an increase of 10 from the year before.

Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza took the opportunity yesterday to issue a news release noting the week is a solemn reminder of how dangerous their jobs can be.

“My hat is off to all of the men and women in law enforcement who choose this honorable profession, are true guardians, and are willing to lay down their lives to protect their neighbors,” Snaza stated.

The Lewis County Law Enforcement Memorial, a bronze statue installed outside the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis last year, will be decorated with red roses each day this week, as a tribute to fallen local officers.

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19 Responses to “News brief: A time to say thank you to police”

  1. G Ross says:

    The police force in united states are like a box of apples.on top u can see good edible apples but as you dig into the box your fine more bruises find more bad apples until you get to the bottom find just rotten apples.So what i am saying is that if we had to depend on the police force from starving we would find that only a few good apples in that Box..and just as a few bad apples can ruin a box of apples…a few good Police officers do not a Police force make.As the U S department of justice has found in the past few weeks.and that we the people are tired of being abused. by police forces that discriminate against color.social standings.mentally ill and homeless..just to name a few…. just to keep There quota and just to keep the jails full..I seen a good police officer once! but like hens.Teeth they are hard to find.

  2. GuiltyBystander says:

    You can always take up a collection, Sleeping Giant.

    I was pulled over by a Stater for speeding on Highway 12 a few years ago. No argument from me because I WAS going too fast, so I admitted it and added, “Do what you need to do.” He went back to his car (I’m guessing to radio for any outstanding warrants, which I had none), then came back to my car, handed me my license and said, “I’m not writing you a ticket because you’re the first honest person I’ve talked to in two days out here. Just slow it down.” And I did.

    These guys are human and some are better humans than others. As I said earlier on this thread, there ARE corrupt cops out there and I think we all know that. Hell, I used to live next door to a deputy who was the main story in an Ann Rule book (ironically, you couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor), The point is that it’s stupid to hate an entire group or profession because of the actions of a few of them.

  3. The Sleeping Giant says:

    To bad all the unarmed citizens that have been murdered at the hands of police officers dont have a monument. It would be as big as the Vietnam war memorial.

  4. Bill S says:

    I believe in the “thin blue line”. We have a really good Lewis County patrol officer living up here in Packwood. Unfortunately we also have a corrupt detective living up here. He let a guy go who stabbed a friend’s son 9 times in the back because he was related to police officers. I’m glad the new sheriff demoted him but he is still on the force. I guess it’s hard to fire those civil service people.

    I personally have not had to talk with a police officer on my own accord since my last speeding ticket in the 1980’s. I recommend that you have a normal person to person conversation with a police officer whenever you can. It’s a hard job and they appreciate knowing that people care about them.

    My mother was a deputy sheriff and a good one. Many people have told me how she helped them in one way or another over the years.

  5. GuiltyBystander says:

    “Does anyone have any possible idea what ‘we have your back’ means besides, ‘We’ll read about you in the paper’?”

    I think you pretty much got it, Free Air, although they might show up in the courtroom for Bo’s hearing and trial like the audience on “Let’s Make a Deal.”

  6. Free Air says:

    go bo says:
    Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 2:30 pm
    I have no criminal record and I still be treated as if I do… go bo. We have your back

    Does anyone have any possible idea what “we have your back” means besides, “We’ll read about you in the paper”?

  7. Exceptionally Normal says:

    The fact he’s mono optical must attest to something

  8. Grow up Rupert says:

    I may have an issue or two with a police officer in this area but that sure does not give me license to be evil to them and wish them harm. I lived in this area for over 20 years and I can safely say that the actions I seen Mr. Rupert pull really do not help his cause…I mean if he can’t make a comment without using the F word, that just shows how childish he is…

  9. go bo says:

    I have no criminal record and I still be treated as if I do… go bo. We have your back

  10. Pre- Clinton says:

    Just to give credit, where credit is due, A big thank-you to the police, all law-enforcement, that conduct themselves with integrity, and honesty. Where would we be without police on duty, stopping crime, which we have plenty. All through in are society people use there power, for personal gain, or to benefit associates. Entirely to much of this behavior in our court systems. Not only in Lewis County, but widespread across the U.S.A.

  11. Free Air says:

    Bo Rupert says:
    Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 6:57 pm
    Law enforcement in this county deserves absolutely no respect or honor. FUCK NATIONAL POLICE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!

    Well, so much for ever being part of another election campaign for Sheriff. Time for some relaxing music, a cup of herbal tea and some knitting.

  12. Pre- Clinton says:

    T. Orr. Your not the only one with that type of story. I would have liked to see the judge have the officier charged with purjury and obstruction of justice. Rotten cops lye as much, if not more then citizens, under oath. Some of the local cops in Lewis co. could not make a pimple, on a good cops butt. I have know use for these lying cops, we have had are share, in East Lewis Co. To hell with them.

  13. T Orr says:

    I would like to thank the Centralia Police Department for entering my home without a warrant and seizing ‘evidence’ illegally. I would like to thank the Centralia Police officer who lied under oath in order to further smear my name. Finally, I would like to thank the judge for throwing out the case.

  14. BobbyinLC says:

    Bo no one takes you seriously on this site. You are an admitted cop hater and I would say even a planner of executing cops.

    So you have gripe against local law enforcement but yet say “F” national police memorial week. So every cop in the country is bad and corrupt? No paranoia there right?

    Maybe you are an anarchist and believe in no government. Who knows what you believe but you do have the right to express your opinion in this format and while what you write angers me I would defend to my death your right to say it. It is when the angry words turn to actions that it becomes unlawful.

  15. GuiltyBystander says:

    I’m okay with the police. There are corrupt officers, for sure, but the majority are fine. It helps to not do the kinds of things that trigger their invasion of your space, or at least not be so obvious about it.

    And Bo, you sounded relatively intelligent when you called Panesko’s show earlier this week, but you need to put down your Bartlett’s Quotations (we’ve all heard the Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson quotes anyway) and pick up a copy of “Lord of the Flies”…anarchists all seem to think they’ll be Ralph when they’re far more likely to be Piggy.

  16. Wilbur says:

    I have lived here for over ten years and I will say thank you again to all the police and public servants that have helped me and or listened to my complaints. Many police officers and others tirelessly worked through the 2007 flood helping too many to count; including giving me a boat ride back to my flooded house in my flooded neighborhood. Then there was the Sunday morning injured bleeding dog that needed help, and it was the police who found a Sunday morning vet and could have saved his life. There’s more but I have to run, but sincerely, thank you again.

  17. Bo Rupert says:

    Law enforcement in this county deserves absolutely no respect or honor. FUCK NATIONAL POLICE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!

  18. Troy N. Houghtaling Sr. says:

    I would like to thank the Centralia police for being there when I need help in personal matter’s and emergencies to. I want to thank the ones that has stood and talk to me about my family, personal problems that I have been through. Those little talks that we have had has helped a lot. Each and every one of you know who you are. I am here if for you if you ever need a person to talk to…

  19. sam says:

    I thank the police deparment in Centralia for changing my life. Thank you so much.