The Town of Clarkstown is truly blessed to have, in my opinion, the finest police department
of any town in the country. Clarkstown is the 9th largest town by population in New York
State and is consistently ranked as one of the safest towns in America in large part due to
the professionalism and effectiveness of the Clarkstown Police Department. As we enter the
national observance of Police Week 2025, this is a great time to remind ourselves of the
vital role that our law enforcement officers play in maintaining our safety and quality of life.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as “Peace
Officers Memorial Day,” and the week in which that date falls as “Police Week.” In 1984, the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) was established to fund and
maintain a memorial to all our fallen officers. The monument was officially dedicated on
October 15, 1991 and is located in Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. Visitors to the
memorial can also attend the National Law Enforcement Museum nearby.
The Memorial honors federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have
made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for the safety and protection of our nation and
its people. Over 22,000 names of fallen officers are inscribed on the monument, dating back
to the first known death in 1786. Sadly, more names are added every year in conjunction
with National Police Week.
This week, members of the Clarkstown Police Department will travel to Washington, D.C. to
participate in Police Week services. The Clarkstown Police Honor Guard, as it has done for
many years, will lead the procession at the national wreath laying ceremony on May 14th.
This is a great honor and a testimony to the fact that our police department is indeed highly
regarded across the country. And while we are fortunate to live in an incredibly safe
community, it is important to remember that police work is inherently dangerous- even in
places like Clarkstown.
According to preliminary data compiled by the NLEOMF, 147 federal, state, county, municipal,
military, tribal, and campus officers died in the line of duty in 2024, representing a 25% increase
compared to the 118 officers who died in the line of duty in 2023. 52 officers were shot and
killed in the line of duty in 2024, making firearm-related incidents the leading cause of deaths..
The 52 gun related deaths represent an increase of 13% compared to historical norms over the
numbers from 2023. Of the firearm-related deaths, 9 of these officers died in incidents stemming
from traffic stops, 4 were killed responding to domestic violence incidents, and 8 lost their lives
serving warrants. Keep in mind, these are routing police activities in every community across
the nation.
Traffic-related incidents took the lives of 46 officers in 2024. These incidents include
crashes as well as deaths stemming from roadside traffic enforcement and control activity.
The overall number was up by 48% in comparison to 2023 figures. An additional 49 officers
died of other causes, such as falls, fire rescues, and medical issues such as on-duty heart
attacks. Again, we often forget how dangerous the job of law enforcement can be.
With these very real and sobering statistics in mind, please join me in pausing this week to
recall the many brave fallen officers whose names are on the national monument in
Washington. They are inscribed in our hearts and remembered for their bravery. The
names of the fallen officers from our towns and county are also on the local law
enforcement monument at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Clarkstown Police Department will hold its annual Police
Recognition ceremony. The event runs from 9:00-10:00am and is held in the front parking
lot of the Clarkstown Police Station located at 20 Maple Avenue in New City. Shortly after
the town’s event, another ceremony will be held at 11:00am at the Rockland County Police
Memorial, which is located just outside the Rockland County Courthouse on Main Street in
New City. I encourage everyone to attend one or both of these events.
More importantly, I ask everyone to pray for our law enforcement members who have paid
the ultimate price and to thank those currently serving, who place themselves in harm's way
to protect and serve our country and communities.
