Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony, Sidney, May 14

For the past 34 years, the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police has been hosting the Peace Officer Memorial Day. Every year officers from all across Montana and Canada come to the one in Montana to honor their fallen brothers and sisters.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed into law a joint resolution of Congress making May 15 Peace Officer Memorial Day and May 15, Police Week nationwide. The Association of Chiefs of Police in Montana has been holding the event since 1988. They choose a different city or town every year to host the event. Usually, the city is in western Montana but this year things are going to be a little different. This year the association requested that they could host the ceremony in Sidney. Police Chief Mark Kraft said, "When we were asked to host this event I thought it would not only be an honor to do so but it would give an opportunity to showcase Sidney to people who may have never been out here before." Since May 15 falls on a Sunday, this year it was decided that the ceremony should be held on Saturday, May 14 so that more officers could attend. Also, this year, since the Sidney Police, County Sheriffs, and local Highway Patrol have such close working relationships with many North Dakota law enforcement agencies, the partner agencies in North Dakota will be invited to attend as well.

The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the old Pamida/Shopko parking lot. Officers will march on foot followed by a vehicle procession to the historic Richland County Courthouse. A memorial ceremony will be held on the lawn at 11 a.m., just after the parade, where Montana Lieutenant Governor Kirsten Juras will give the keynote address.

Sidney's Chief Kraft wanted to thank the Sidney Chamber of Commerce for helping with the logistics of the parade. He also wanted to thank the Richland County Sheriff and Sidney Police Departments for helping to organize the event.