SF honors fallen comrades during National Police Week Published May 15, 2013 By Elizabeth Brooks 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Security Forces Squadron commemorated National Police Week by participating in the Wichita Falls Police memorial held at the department headquarters on Holiday Street May 13. Standing with officers from the Wichita Falls Police Department, Wichita County Sheriff's Department, Texas state troopers, the airmen gathered to remember their comrades that made the ultimate sacrifice for their community. Along with law enforcement and distinguished members of the community, family members of those still serving and those that had lost their lives in the line of duty were in attendance. Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, 82nd Training Wing commander, also attended the ceremony. National Police week began in 1962 after President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as "Police Week". Security forces at Sheppard and Wichita Falls Police Department have a long standing relationship for joint operations. A wreath was laid at the memorial site, situated on the west side of the Police Department building. At the memorial site, seven Wichita Falls Police officer names can be found who died in the line of duty. In 2012, 11 Texas law enforcement officers and 120 officers nationally died in the line of duty Glen Barham, Wichita Falls mayor, delivered a proclamation of the events that were held. During the ceremony, Officer Robert Franklin Fennell's name was added to the memorial 75 years after falling in the line of duty. Fennell had previously served on the Burkburnett and Electra police departments and had been appointed as a special officer by Wichita Falls police chief several weeks before his death.