Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Ortega. All right. Seeing no other announcements, we'll move on. There are no presentations. There are no communications. But we do have three proclamations this evening. Councilwoman Black, will you read Proclamation?
Speaker 7: 555 Thank you, Mr. President. Proclamation 80555 Declaring May 15 as National Peace Officer Day and the week of May 15th is National Police Week. Whereas in 1961, President John F Kennedy issued an executive order declaring May 15th National Peace Officer Day and the week of May 15th as National Police Week. And. Whereas during the 159 year history, the over 10,000 individuals who have comprised the Denver Police Department has played an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Denver, Colorado. And. WHEREAS, during the 159 year history, 72 men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in service to protecting the citizens of the city and county of Denver. And. WHEREAS, the Denver Police Department and the Denver Police Museum have undertaken a project to place memorial signs to honor our fallen heroes at the locations where they fell. And. WHEREAS, the Denver Police Department and the Denver Police Museum will honor the following fallen officers this coming year with memorial signs including Detective Pasquale Si Marinaro, who lost his life on April 17th, 1936. Patrol Patrolman Allison E McCaslin, who was the first motorcycle officer to die in the line of duty on May 28th, 1935. John, FDR and George P Schneider, who were both killed during a burglary on February 11th, 1933. And. WHEREAS, the Denver Police Department and the Denver Police Museum also plan to hold special memorials ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of what Robert Wallace sacrifice. And this is going to be a really long, long days. Whereas the Denver Police Department and the Denver Police Foundation have recognized the following active officers for outstanding service this past year, including Officer Joseph Stadler and Detective Rachel Eid, who both received the Medal of Honor. Detective John Metronomes. Detective Kenneth Manzanares. Officer Kevin Burke. Officer Michelle Cooper. Officer Michael Clark. Officer Robert Greaser. Sergeant Robert Stack. Officer Kevin Kirby. Officer Jared Tennon. Officer Jose Diaz who all received the Medal of Valor Officer Jeremiah Wright. Jeremy Arthur Technician John Lewis Houser. Officer Hosey Griggs. Officer Eric Cardenas Officer Craig Minor Officer Timothy Luke. Officer Jimmy Sheppard The Third Officer John Crowe. Officer Bryce Jackson who all received the Distinguished Service Cross Officer Benjamin Austin. Officer Brett Lake. Sergeant Damon Belzer Officer Randy Yoder Officer Edward Mejia. Corporal William Bastian The Fourth Sergeant Gary Ayers. Corporal Daniel Filkins who all received the preservation of Life Medal and Officer Preservation of Life Medal and Officer Aubrey Thompson. Officer Andrew Grob who received the Purple Heart. Detective Adam Golden Detective Luis Estrada who both received Officer of the Year. Sergeant Karla Harvard. Who received the award for Above and Beyond. And finally, forensic scientist Amy Williams, CSA Employee of the Year. And. Whereas, this year has been a particularly difficult year for law enforcement here in the state of Colorado, we honor the officers who have lost their lives earlier this year, including Deputy Sheriff Michael Affleck of El Paso County, Deputy Sheriff Heath McDonald of Adams County and Deputy Sheriff Zachary S Parrish, the third of Douglas County. And. Whereas, it is important that all citizens know and understand the problems, duties and responsibility of their police department and the members of our police department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak, against oppression or intimidation . Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Council of the City and County of Denver, Section one, that the Denver City Council Council declared the week of May 15th as police officer, peace officer, Memorial Day and Police Week to honor the active, retired and deceased members of the Denver Police Department who have faithfully perform their duty to protect and serve the citizens of the city and county of Denver. Section two that the clerk of the city and county of Denver shall affix. And it's a test and a fix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and that a copy be transmitted to the Denver Police Department.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilwoman Black, your motion to adopt.
Speaker 7: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that proclamation 18 dash 0555 be adopted.
Speaker 0: It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of Council. Councilwoman Black.
Speaker 7: Thank you, Mr. President. I am honored to have been asked to sponsor this proclamation, recognizing our law enforcement officers. They are the people who we all call when we need help or when we're in danger. And they risk their lives every day to keep us and our city safe. Today, their jobs are more dangerous than ever, and every day they are in harm's way. Too many have made the ultimate sacrifice. As I read in the proclamation, we've got three deputy sheriffs in the metro area who died in the line of duty this week. This year. I want to thank Michael Hess, who's with the Denver Police Museum and the Denver Police Foundation for working so hard to honor our officers and keep their memories alive. I had the honor to attend the memorial for Officer Willie O'Steen this winter at Riverside Cemetery. Officer Steen was a World War One veteran and the first African-American officer to be killed in the line of duty in Denver. He was buried in an unmarked grave after nearly 100 years. A gravestone was finally installed because of the police museum to mark his grave after almost 100 years. I also want to thank our current law enforcement officers. My district is in District three and I am in awe of our extraordinary commander, Meghan Dodge, and all of her team in District three. So I wanted to shout out to them. And also I'd like to acknowledge Chief White, who will be retiring as chief after serving our city since 2011. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to first ask that my name be added to the proclamation and also extend my thanks and appreciation to the families of the deceased officers who were named, as well as to all of the officers who were named that have received honors and to those who currently serve to protect our communities every day. I have a couple of grandkids that have gone into the Navy. They both signed up to be military police officers. I have a grandson in law who is a police officer in Wisconsin. So this profession, you know, hits very close to home and really understand the the sacrifices as well as just the day to day. I don't know. I guess uncertainties, for lack of a better word, that the families have to deal with everyday, just praying and hoping that their loved one is going to come home safe. And so for all of you who wear that uniform to protect the city and to just pay tribute to those who have come before you , I just say thank you very much for your service to our city. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Flynn.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Mr. President. I am reminded every time we do proclamations like this of the officers who have paid the ultimate price, made the ultimate sacrifice, and to particularly remember the 30th anniversary of Detective Bob Walsh's death, I remember that one clearly. The entire metropolitan area, I think, watched that because I think it was the Channel four helicopter that was following that suspect. And he had carjacked a man and. I remember seeing Bob get hit by that car and. It was a terrible, terrible day in Denver. And. I it's just an honor to be able to say. 30 years later that we remember him as we remember all of these and as we remember the officer that Councilwoman Black mentioned who was not forgotten after more than 100 years. Our thanks. Go to the Denver Police Museum and to the Denver Police Department for making sure that they are not forgotten ever. Thank you, Mr. President.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Lopez.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Mr. President. I also wanted to just give my gratitude and thanks to the men and women in uniform, especially in our police department. I think there's some folks that are on a daily, daily basis. I run into them all the time. I see them. And every time I have the opportunity, I say thank you. And I think, you know, with. When you when you're a public servant in the capacity of these peace officers, are you going to see the. Too often you get you see the you see kind of like the bad attitudes that are out there in the public. You see, you deal with the rudeness. You deal with the things that a lot of people. Don't deal with on a daily basis unless you're in customer service. However. You know, it's so important for us to be able to and I encourage everybody in the public to do this. If you're watching this, either here in the chambers or on Channel eight, is to go up and say just to say thank you, thank you for your service to our city and go in there and stay safe. Right. And to be able to do that means a lot. And I know that because some of my two of my best friends in high school are are now in uniform. And I see them all the time. And I always think to myself, Man, I knew you were going to be a cop. You were pretty bossy, but. You always had a good year. And it's just there's no other way to sum up that public service, like like the men and women that wear that badge. Right. And I think there's something special there. And when the ones who have, you know, gave their last breath to protect the public and the safety of the public. And, you know, it's always important that we never forget them. I'm glad that we are. You're marking the places where the men and women have, you know, took those last breaths in that uniform and on our behalf. It's important. So thank you for doing that. I think that's super important that you do that for us. I think a lot of us in the west side of that, the memory and the celebration of the life of people who have gone before us is a big deal. Right. And so I think, you know, so kudos to that. Councilwoman, thank you so much for for bringing this proclamation forward. And, Madam Secretary, if you can add my name along with it as well to I don't think I responded in time. So thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman. See no other speakers. I'll just wrap us up by saying I can't say it any better than my colleagues have already. And I just want to add to all of our officers. Thank you. Thank you for everything. Madam Secretary, roll call.
Speaker 1: Black Eye.
Speaker 4: Flynn I.
Speaker 2: Gillmor, Herndon High Cashman. Lopez. I knew Ortega. SUSSMAN Hi, Mr. President.
Speaker 0: All right. Madam Secretary, please close the voting and announce the results. Tennis tourney is proclamation 555 has been adopted. Tell someone black. Is there someone you'd like to bring up to receive the proclamation?
Speaker 7: Yes, I would. Deputy Chief Matt Murray, please. And Michael Hess with the Denver Police Museum.
Speaker 4: I asked Mike to come up. I just think everybody sort of said it. But I want everybody to see that they have done some amazing work and been incredibly supportive and very, very busy week for Mike and for the foundation. And if you also notice tonight, the City-County building will be blue. And that's also a lot of their work and work for the city. But let me just start by saying this Chief White couldn't be here tonight. He is at the dentist. And, you know, I wouldn't normally point that out, but as council person Black said, he is retiring. And believe it or not, it's related to this that I want to bring that up. He was struck in the face as a young police officer in Washington, DC had lost many of his teeth and he's had dental problems for the rest of his life. And so there are many officers who, you know, carry the scars and the and the memories and the pain and the suffering that come with not just dying on the line of duty, but being injured in the line of duty and having to do that job. And Chief White's been the police officer for 46 years. So I do think we owe him gratitude. And I know he appreciates all of you and told me to not go too far with this because he wants to speak to each one of you before he leaves. And I'm sure he will do that. But for the department, I want you to know how much we appreciate it. I want to echo something Councilperson Lopez said. You know, this was a tough year. I would I had the honor to attend all three of the funerals for the deputy sheriffs. And you know, they were right in a row. It was really difficult. I won't lie. It's very hard. And these were all really young men early in their careers. And one of the things that struck me was just how good they were. Have you just left the funeral with a sense that there's a hole in this community because of the people we lost. All three were husbands. Two of them were fathers, very young, very energetic, and people that said the most amazing things about them. I mean, I would want all three of them to work in our department in a heartbeat. So we appreciate it. But but something Councilman Lopez said that I think is important as I left Colorado Springs and I talked about this this weekend, we it took an hour and 45 minutes to leave the parking lot. There were so many people. And so your thanks just means the world to us. I cannot tell you. It's far greater than any award, far greater than somebody buying you lunch. Somebody that comes up like a man did to me on the way down to that funeral and just says thanks just means a lot. It really means a lot. So I want to thank you for saying that, because that is true. That that's that's the greatest currency for a police officer. And then the last thing I wanted to mention is Councilperson Black talked about the different awards this year. And I do want to point out, because some people don't know and especially people at home, we instituted a new year award two years ago. Chief White did called The Sanctity of Life. And that gets missed. And I don't think a lot of people understand what that is, but it's part of this major cultural change that we've undergone. And it's a focus on preserving life and not awarding somebody for a heroic act where a life was lost. And, you know, not to say that that doesn't matter, but we want to focus on times that you could have used deadly force and you didn't. And there were eight people this year, given that award and that if you think about it, every one of them, their life was in danger when they chose not to use their service weapon and take a life. And so in Denver, we have some really good things happening. And I want to make sure people know that and tell you thank you so much for this proclamation and for for your continued support and for honoring the police department. So thank you very much.
A proclamation declaring May 15 as National Peace Officer Day and the week of May 15 as National Police Week.