HoehmTown Happenings

Clarkstown Recognizes National Police Week

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.